A Palestinian man was gunned down Thursday by Israeli police after authorities suspected the man had tried to kill a Jewish activist earlier in the day.
Moataz Hejazi, 32, was suspected of shooting and injuring Yehuda Glick, a far right Jewish activist. Police believe Glick was shot as he left a conference at the Menachem Begin Heritage Centre in Jerusalem. Hejazi is suspected of fleeing the scene on a motorcycle.
After Hejazi was shot by police, the Al-Aqsa compound, or Temple Mount, was closed to visitors for the first time in 14 years. Israeli authorities worked to seal the area and keep back Palestinian protesters.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called Israel’s shooting of Hejasi “tantamount to a declaration of war.”
Hejazi was hiding out in his home in Abu Tor.
"Anti-terrorist police units surrounded a house in the Abu Tor neighbourhood to arrest a suspect in the attempted assassination of Yehuda Glick," Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said. "Immediately upon arrival they were shot at. They returned fire and shot and killed the suspect."
Glick is in serious, but stable condition, according to reports.
Thursday, Palestinians continued to protest and throw bricks at Israeli police. Police have responded with tear gas.
“It is not a good situation, it is the worst, everyone is angry," said Galib Abu Nejmeh.
Publication date: October 31, 2014
