IDF Central Command head makes rare visit to West Bank outpost

The head of the IDF’s Central Command, Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai, makes a rare visit to an illegal outpost in the West Bank.

Yadai’s visit to Maoz Esther was aimed at defusing tensions between settler youth and state authorities, following the death of Ahuvia Sandak in December, during a police chase. Sandak, 16, had lived at the outpost.

He was killed in a car crash last month while fleeing from police, after allegedly throwing rocks at Palestinians. His death set off furious protests in Israel against police, as well as a spate of anti-Palestinian attacks.

According to police, Sandak’s group fled from police before losing control of their vehicle. Sandak’s defenders view his death as a police killing; they allege that the police car hit his vehicle from behind, causing it to run off the road.