TAPUAH JUNCTION, PALESTINE – Stopping terrorists is hard enough without having to worry about those whom you think are on your side.
In the world of counter-terrorism there are lots of players. In some circumstances the military is the most logical lead agency (the recent killing of Islamic State (ISIS) leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi by US Special Forces is a really good example, as were the previous killings of his predecessor Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi and Al Qaeda (AQ) head honcho Usama bin Laden).
In others the best-placed teams are those in security intelligence (think MI5 or CSIS) as this is squarely within their mandate. Another valued partner is law enforcement: in the end, if arrest and prosecution are the goals you need these folks onside.
So what if a member of an otherwise trusted law enforcement organisation actually carries out a terrorist act?
On this day in 2010
An officer with the Palestinian Authority police fatally stabbed an Israeli Druze soldier in the West Bank as he waited at a red light in Tapuah Junction. The officer, wearing civilian clothes, approached the jeep and pulled out a knife, thrusting into the soldier who tried to escape by pressing down on the gas pedal. Unfortunately his jeep flipped over on the side of the road when he lost consciousness: he later died in hospital.
This attack comes amid an increase in terror attacks. Since the beginning of 2010, IDF troops have prevented 20 stabbing attacks and uncovered 12 bombs.
Samaria Brigade commander Col. Itzhik Bar
Israel-Palestine relations are bad enough without having a cop kill a soldier. This also undermines the Palestinian claim they are for peace. RIP St.-Sgt. Maj. Ihab Khatib.
Read More Today in Terrorism
May 31, 1906: Spanish anarchist bombs royal wedding
On May 31, 1906 a Spanish anarchist threw a bomb hoping to hit King Alfonso XIII, killing 24 and wounding more than 100.
May 30, 2009: Anti-government group bombs TV station in Ecuador
On May 30, 2009 two pamphlet-bombs exploded outside an Ecuadorian TV station and ministry: no victims or significant damage ensued.
May 29, 2016: ISIS uses chlorine gas in terrorist attack
On May 29, 2016 35 civilians were wounded in an ISIS attack using rockets containing chlorine gas in Iraq’s Nineveh Province.
