Defense Ministry recognizes Reuven Schmerling as terror victim

The Defense Ministry issues official recognition of Reuven Schmerling, a resident of the West Bank settlement of Elkana who was found dead in a storage unit belonging to his business in Kafr Qassem’s industrial area on October 4, as a terror victim.

The ministry came to the decision after police determined that the murder had been carried out on nationalistic grounds and should therefore be considered terrorism.

Police and the Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service, opened a joint investigation into the murder, looking at possible motives including a work- or money-related dispute. Schmerling owned a coal business in Kafr Qassem, employed residents of the city and had business contacts there.

The decision means Schmerling will be included in state memorials for terror victims and his family will now be eligible to receive the relevant national insurance benefits.