Police identify man who stabbed 2 officers in Jerusalem

Police said Friday that the identity of a Palestinian man who stabbed two Border Police officers early Friday morning in Jerusalem’s Old City was known to the authorities.

There were no indications that an arrest had been made or was imminent.

The incident has somewhat embarrassed the police as a video that emerged of the scene showed the policemen’s sluggish response to the attack.

The footage shows the attacker running up behind the two officers as they stood in a doorway. He starts swinging his knife at the policemen. One of the officers pushes the assailant back, while the other pulls out his club. The policeman manages to swing at the assailant, who briefly runs up a side alley. He returns to struggle with the first officer, and they swing at each other while disappearing down another side street, with the second officer in chase. The video ends with the attacker, dressed in a striped sweater, fleeing down the street.

The attacker managed to escape, as security forces conducted a search in the area.

The incident occurred as worshipers were leaving the Temple Mount complex after morning prayers.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=946139908761763

One of the officers, 19 years old, was stabbed in the neck. The other officer, 35, was stabbed in the hand as he struggled with the assailant, police said.

Both were lightly injured and fully conscious, and were taken to the Shaare Zedek Medical Center.

Lions Gate, which leads into the Muslim Quarter, marks the beginning of the Via Dolorosa, the path that, according to Christian tradition, Jesus took on his way from prison to crucifixion.