http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=217700One killed, 4 wounded from PA police gunfire in Nablus
Group of 15 Breslev hassidim hit with gunfire from PA policeman as they leave Joseph's Tomb prayers; group didn't coordinate visit with IDF.
One Israeli worshiper was killed and four were wounded in Nablus early Sunday morning after their vehicle was shot at by a Palestinian Authority policeman as the group was exiting the city from prayer services held at Joseph's Tomb. Magen David Adom said one person was in serious condition, one in moderate condition and two others in light condition.
The Palestinian police officer who opened fire told investigators in the Palestinian security forces that he identified "suspicious" individuals and fired at them, the IDF said. The shooting took place in an area of Palestinian Authority security jurisdiction. The PA policeman was being interrogated by Palestinian security officers. Several hours after the incident, dozens of Palestinians rioted near Joseph's Tomb and set tires on fire, Israel Radio reported. Settlers claimed that Palestinians vandalized the holy site in the wake of the attack.
A security source said a dispute had preceded the shooting incident. The argument involved the PA policeman who opened fire and the group of of 15 Breslev hassidim who arrived at the site. The source said the Israeli worshipers arrived at the tomb without coordinating their visit with the IDF, as is standard request, and without army protection.
According to Nablus Governor Jibreen al Bakri, the shooting attack was a "security incident" and not a terror attack. Bakri said the group of Breslev hassidim raised suspicions since they entered the city without prior coordination with the proper authorities. At first shots were fired in the air as a warning and then at the vehicle, he said. Bakri said the incident was being investigated and refused to say if the shooters were Palestinian Authority police. He added that the authorities who were in the area were detained and were being interrogated about the details of the incident.
Three vehicles with 15 Breslev hasidim entered the city in the early morning hours to attend prayer services at Joseph's Tomb. On the way back, around 6 a.m. they encountered a surprise checkpoint and were met with a hail of gunfire from a Palestinian jeep. The fire continued even after the vehicles turned back in an attempt to escape. Two of the three vehicles were hit.
The worshipers were able to evacuate themselves to the IDF Samaria district brigade base and the Har Bracha settlement which were near by and received initial emergency medical care.
The death of a 25-year-old male was pronounced at the scene. The victim was identified as Ben Yosef Livnat, the nephew of Minister of Culture and Sports Limor Livnat (Likud). Livnat was married, a father of four and was a resident of Jerusalem. A 20-year-old man was injured in serious condition, suffering of an abdominal wound. He was airlifted to Bellinson Hospital in Petah Tikva where he underwent surgery. A 17-year-old youth was evacuated by a Magen David Adom Yarkon crew in moderate condition, suffering a wound to his shoulder. Another two individuals were injured in light condition. They did not require evacuation and received medical treatment on location.
The funeral procession for Livnat was scheduled to leave the Elon Moreh settlement at 11 a.m. and head in the direction of Jerusalem. He will be laid to rest at the Mount of Olives cemetery.
Senior IDF officials were expected to hold a meeting with Palestinian officials later Sunday to clarify details of the incident.
When asked about the possibility that Palestinian police shot at the car, Gershon Mesika, head of the Samaria regional council, told Army Radio that Breslov hassids attempt to illegally enter Joseph's Tomb almost every month. He added that Palestinian Police are familiar with the regular occurrence, and would have no reason to shoot at visitors.
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