Israeli security officer kills a Palestinian youth near Lod

Wednesday October 29, 2008 01:01 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

The Aabs48 news website reported on Tuesday evening that a member of the Israeli security agency shot and killed a Palestinian youth in Bet Shemesh, near Lod, after claiming that he felt his life was in danger after the youth entered his land.

According to the official, a Palestinian youth in his twenties attempted to break into his home along with two other youths. He then shot the youth while the other two fled the scene.

The slain youth died of his wounds at an Israeli hospital in the area.

Israeli sources reported that the slain youth is 24 years old and that he “entered the country illegally”.

The police interrogated the security official who shot and killed the youth and he claimed that “he observed three youths, most likely Arabs, wondering in the area surrounding his home”. He added that he felt that his life was in danger before opening fire at them.

Israeli sources reported that the official will be released after interrogation, and that the police does not demand that he remains in custody.

Member of Knesset, Yisrael Katz, from the Likud party, commented on the incident by stating that the officer who killed the youth should not be imprisoned and should instead be granted a medal, the Arabs48 news website reported.

Member of Knesset, Zahava Gal-On, from the Meretz-Yahad party, said that it is illogical that the killer is not being held responsible.

This incident took place only four months after the Knesset approved the so-called "Shai Dromi Bill".

Israeli online daily, Haaretz, reported that the bill absolves from criminal responsibility anyone who kills or injures an intruder in his home, business or farm.

The law does not apply in cases where “the act of self defense was patently unreasonable”, Haaretz added.

The new law is named after Shai Dromi, an Israeli settler from the Negev who shot and killed an Arab youth in January 2007 after claiming that the youth attempted to infiltrate into his farm. Dromi was acquitted and released.

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