Thousands attend the funeral of 20-year-old nursing student Ahmad Hijazi near the Arab city of Tamra, northern Israel, February 2, 2021. (Sraya Diamant/Flash90)
The Justice Ministry closes its investigation into a suspected police shooting of an Arab nursing student during a firefight with armed criminals, saying that police had acted appropriately.
Ahmad Hijazi, a nursing student from Tamra, was gunned down in the crossfire between police and suspected criminals last February.
The Justice Ministry’s Police Internal Investigations Division says it is closing the case, saying that the officers’ decision to fire was appropriate given the circumstances.
Nursing student Ahmad Hijazi, who was shot and killed in the crossfire between police and criminal gunmen on February 2, 2021. (Courtesy: Hijazi family)
Internal Affairs investigators found that Hijazi and another victim, Mohammad Armoush, left their home after hearing gunshots and stepped into the line of fire.
His funeral drew thousands of mourners, who saw his death as a reminder of the high toll of the gun violence plaguing Arab Israeli cities.
Last year saw a record 126 Arab Israelis and Palestinians killed inside Israel. Another nine, including Hijazi, were killed by police. The government has pledged to end the phenomenon. But according to the Abraham Initiatives nonprofit, 13 Arabs were murdered inside Israel so far this year.
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