Israel Police plan to award a commendation to a patrolman and an auxiliary policeman who killed the terrorist who had committed a string of attacks in Jaffa in early March, killing an American tourist and wounding 12. US Vice President Joe Biden was participating in an event at the Peres Center nearby while the attacks were taking place.
District commander Brigadier-General Yehuda Dahan made the recommendation for the award because the two men “showed an effort to make contact with their actions, and thus prevented attacks on other civilians.” Tel Aviv District Police Commander Major General Moshe Edri approved the recommendation.
The citations will be awarded despite criticism at the time that the auxiliary policeman was seen shooting the terrorist, Bashar Masalha, 22, from Kalkilya, while standing over him after he had been neutralized and was lying on the grass.
A police HR committee will discuss in the coming days whether or not to accept the recommendations, Walla reported Sunday. It appears that the policeman, who shot the terrorist first, will receive the Medal of Distinguished Service, while the auxiliary cop will receive a certificate of appreciation.
The video documentation of the incident shows police chasing after the terrorist who was still armed with a knife and escaping from the Jaffa harbor area northbound, towards Tel Aviv. He ran on the promenade and attacked pedestrians. He was then shot by a policeman, fell down and then the auxiliary cop shot him again, saying he identified him as still being dangerous.
The same video also contains comments by people standing near the scene who encouraged the auxiliary man with calls to “give him one in the head, don’t be afraid, give him in the head.” After the shot, one of the people present is heard saying, “Good, good, you’re king. Bravo, give him in the head, my brother.”