On erev Shabbos 16 Tammuz IDF Colonel Yisrael Shomer’s vehicle was attacked with boulders in Shomron. He fired a warning shot in the air and when attackers continued throwing rocks, he fired at them, killing one terrorist. Military officials were quick to release statements backing the colonel’s actions, stating he acted in line with protocol.

Conspicuously silent were Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon.

Yesh Atid opposition party leader MK Yair Lapid calls on the two senior ministers to release statements backing the actions of the senior officer. Lapid states they must publically announce their support for the officer, who was compelled to fire when he was attacked with large rocks and was in life-threatening danger. Lapid concludes “Whoever does not believe that rocks kill should visit the kever of Adele Biton, who battled for her life from age 2 till age 4 when she died”.

In response to the attack, Arab MK Dr. Ahmed Tibi tweeted a message “Three years ago the Ephraim Brigade Commander and his assistant were attacked with large rocks and they were injured, but did not fire a single shot despite being in life threatening danger. Guess why? A Jewish rock demands Jewish restraint”.

The vehicle of the colonel after being hit in the attack.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)