A terrorist’s family sued the government of Israel for damages—for killing the terrorist when he drew a knife and tried to murder a Border Guard. The judges determined that the family are deluded. And they have to pay court costs.
The Haifa District Court ruled Monday against a damages suit filed by the family of a Palestinian who was killed five years ago, while trying to stab a Border Guard officer near city of Umm al-Fahem.
The court ruled that the Border Guard officers present at the time of the incident acted according to procedures when they shot the man, saying there was negligence or wrongdoing on their part; further ruling that the man’s family will pay the State NIS 15,000 (approx. $4,300).
The police investigation determined that the terrrorist was determined to die a “martyr’s” death.
The officers instructed Samudi to lift his shirt, in order to make sure he was not carrying any explosives. When one of the officers approached him – with another providing cover – Samudi drew a knife, yelled “Allahu Akbar,” and began stabbing the officer standing next to him.
An officer sitting in the patrol jeep fired a warning shot in midair, but since Samudi kept stabbing the officer, he than shot and killed him. One of the shots hit the wounded officers, causing him moderate injuries.
Samudi’s family, however, claimed he was shot despite not provoking the officers, adding that once he was shot, the officers proceeded to “confirm the kill.”
The incident was investigated by the Police Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB), which determined the officers were following procedures and ordered the case closed.
A warning shot? When he was stabbing another officer with a knife? You’ve got to be kidding me. He’d be shot dead immediately in America. And deservedly so. I’m surprised they didn’t punish the officer’s partner.
In any case: The definition of chutzpha, indeed.