Ya’alon hits back at officials who support soldier in Hebron shooting

Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon continues to level harsh criticism against lawmakers and public officials who expressed support for the soldier caught on film shooting an incapacitated Palestinian stabber in Hebron.

“There is a confusion, and the involvement of non-professional officials in issues of rules of engagement and what is happening now, is not useful,” Ya’alon says during a meeting at Central Command headquarters.

“It is our duty o prevent the evil spirits from the outside to influence us, there’s a fight for the character and image of the State of Israel, and Israeli society is having an effect on the army. It is important that the IDF remain a stable anchor and maintain norms and values.”

An IDF soldier was moderately wounded during the incident last Thursday, and one of two Palestinian assailants was shot dead at the scene.

The 19-year-old suspect, whose name is being withheld from publication, was filmed shooting the second attacker, who was wounded and lying nearly motionless, in the head some ten minutes after he had already been shot and incapacitated. The soldier was arraigned Friday on suspicion of murder, drawing anger from his family, right-wing politicians and others who claim the army was passing judgment before probing the incident.