Israel’s President Ruvy Rivlin entered the fray on Sunday evening. He addressed the incident in Hebron that has been foremost in the news since Friday.
Two Arab Palestinian terrorists stabbed a soldier in the Tel Rumeida section of Hebron on Friday. Both terrorists were shot, but while paramedics were evacuating the wounded soldier, an Israeli corporal shot one of the terrorists in the head. That terrorist was wearing a long-sleeved, buttoned, black jacket, although the temperature was in the high 80s. On the audiotape, you could hear the people in the area yelling, believing the terrorist to have on an explosives belt.
A videotape of the incident was released by the leftist NGO B’tselem and went ’round the world, accompanied by the claim that the Israeli soldier shot the terrorist lying on the ground, “even though he was no longer a threat.”
The soldier has been placed in prison and the IDF is conducting an investigation.
Rivlin addressed the matter at his residence, before a session of the 929 Bible Study initiative (there are 929 chapters of Tanach), which promotes regular Torah study with a focus on social issues.
The Israeli President said that there was currently an investigation into the incident by the Israeli Defense Forces.
Rivlin began his remarks by reminding everyone of the current wave of terror directed at Israel.
He said, “We must manage this campaign with composure, determination and consistency. I am able to rest much better at night with the knowledge that Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot is the bearer of Israel’s security. I have full faith in him and in the IDF, in its officers and soldiers. I trust in the military’s ability to investigate, and attentively and swiftly draw operational and individual lessons wherever needed.”
Given the acrimonious charges being leveled at one another by various members of the Israeli government over the incident, it appears Pres. Rivlin has decided not to take a position until the investigation is concluded. Good move.
