Subscribe to Print Edition | Sat., December 06, 2008 Kislev 9, 5769 | | Israel Time: 05:10 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate GA 2008 Travel Week's End Anglo File
Comments:  129
Last update - 00:00 23/09/2008
VIDEO / Father of Jerusalem attacker: My son's no terrorist
By Haaretz Staff and News Agencies
Tags: Jerusalem attack 

The family of a Palestinian shot dead after his car plowed into pedestrians at a busy Jerusalem intersection challenged on Tuesday Israeli police allegations that he had carried out a deliberate terror attack.

But police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said authorities were convinced the attack was politically motivated. "We're 100 percent sure ... he deliberately drove into people," Rosenfeld said.
Advertisement
Israeli police on Tuesday beefed up patrols around Jerusalem, hours after
More than a dozen soldiers, on a late-night excursion to the city ahead of the Jewish New Year next week, were injured in Monday's incident. No Palestinian group has made a credible claim of responsibility.

Police, including undercover agents, were out on Jerusalem's streets in larger numbers, on the lookout for suspicious activity and conducting spot checks of Palestinian pedestrians and vehicles, Rosenfeld said.
Officers were also patrolling Arab neighborhoods of the city, including village of Jabel Mukaber, where the driver had lived.

Police announced Monday night that the incident was a terrorist attack, the third of its kind using vehicles against Israelis in the city since July and involving Palestinians from East Jerusalem and have wide freedom of movement.

The driver of the black BMW was identified as Qassem Mughrabi, 19. Mahmoud Mughrabi, 49, his father, said his son did not have a driving licence and apparently lost control of the car. "My son was murdered, they killed him. He did not carry out a terrorist attack. This was a car accident."

Mughrabi, owner of a trucking business, said at his home where police had barred him from setting up a traditional Muslim mourning tent.

Mughrabi said he wished the soldiers a speedy recovery, a remark not typical of parents of Palestinian militants killed by Israeli forces.

IDF Lieutenant Elad Amar, who shot and killed Qassem Mughrabi, said Tuesday that he fired a hail of bullets into the BMW after it hit a wall, because he feared that the driver would restart the car and strike more passers-by.

Amar told Israel Radio that the driver pointed the car directly at the group of soldiers and "floored it. I didn't see his face, just the car as it neared us."

"He ran into them, they flew into the air, some landing on the hood, people you were laughing with, joking with, just a moment before," Amar said. "They're my friends and I love them."

Army Radio said the Palestinian terrorist was shot 11 times.

IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi on Thursday praised the officer in a telephone call to him, during which he expressed his appreciation of Amar's courage and his accurate aim.

In his conversation with Ashkenazi, the officer recalled the chain of events that ultimately ended in the terrorist's death.

"I'm proud of you, you acted beautifully as a soldier and as an officer and your professional and quick response brought a quick and just end to the incident," Ashkenazi said.

Amar and the IDF commander of the artillery corps will visit the wounded at Hadassah Ein Karem Hospital in Jerusalem on Tuesday afternoon.

This is the third time a vehicle has been used in a terror attack in Jerusalem in as many months. In July, two East Jerusalem residents carried out separate attacks with vehicles used in ongoing construction work in the city, killing three people and wounding many others.

Related articles:
  • 17 hurt as terrorist plows car into Jerusalem crowd
  • ANALYSIS / Another attack in Jerusalem, brace yourselves for more
  • Bulldozer driver goes on rampage in Jerusalem, apparent copycat of recent deadly attack
  • Bulldozer driver on downtown J'lem rampage leaves 3 dead, 80 injured
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Settler rampage
    Video shows settler shooting Palestinian in the stomach from point-blank range.
    Living side by side
    An historic Chicago synagogue neighbors Barack Obama's house.
      1.   Shin Bet PAY ATTENTION!!! Mosques demanded this last Friday! 12:52  |  michelle 23/09/08
      2.   Terror attack in Jerusalem 13:24  |  Daniel 23/09/08
      3.   Spurned 13:27  |  Moshe 23/09/08
      4.   Rich Arabs in BMW wanting to marry their cousins 13:32  |  Ari 23/09/08
      5.   Awful parents to raise such a spoilt kid 13:36  |  Dov 23/09/08
      6.   Expensive car and a cheap life... 14:01  |  Michael J 23/09/08
      7.   terrorist my ass 14:16  |  caffer 23/09/08
      8.   Car Terrorist 14:24  |  Scottish Lady 23/09/08
      9.   Why there was a need to shoot him after he hit the wall? 14:27  |  Samson 23/09/08
      10.   who`s cheap life? 14:31  |  Jewish Palestinian 23/09/08
      11.   this country is going nuts 14:33  |  Mordechai 23/09/08
      12.   Pure terrorist`s parents` bulshit 14:40  |  S 23/09/08
      13.   caffer 14:44  |  Joe 23/09/08
      14.   Accident? 14:45  |  Murray of Montreal 23/09/08
      15.   Bulldozer-goons parents`re also rolling their eyes and yelling "A 14:46  |  Absolute Sweden 23/09/08
      16.   Elderly drivers in the US crash into crowds 14:51  |  Buick from Boca 23/09/08
      17.   Of course he wasnt` a terrorist 14:54  |  * BEN JABO 23/09/08
      18.   No Terrorist 14:58  |  Pierre 23/09/08
      19.   asian drivers 14:58  |  sione 23/09/08
      20.   The terror mom is so full of crap her eyes are brown 14:59  |  Zionist 23/09/08
      21.   Feel sorry for the parents 15:03  |  Ilan 23/09/08
      22.   Did they read him his rights before shooting? 15:13  |  Barrack Obama 23/09/08
      23.   #16 Buick from Boca - One major difference 15:16  |  * BEN JABO 23/09/08
      24.   #9 Samson 15:18  |  * BEN JABO 23/09/08
      25.   #19 sione 15:21  |  * BEN JABO 23/09/08
      26.   #21 Ilan - Who do you think gave him car keys? 15:23  |  * BEN JABO 23/09/08
      27.   Judge, Jury and Executioner 15:23  |  Jakarta John 23/09/08
      28.   To Ari from Tel-Aviv 15:24  |  Ray 23/09/08
      29.   Israel must and will respond to this act of terror harshly!!! 15:25  |  Avigdor 23/09/08
      30.   ???? 15:25  |  Steve 23/09/08
      31.   Accident? How Would You Know? 15:27  |  Reader 23/09/08
      32.   What`s the evidence? 15:28  |  Mahmoud Moshe 23/09/08
      33.   To Dov (Tel-Aviv) 15:29  |  MuslimParent 23/09/08
      34.   #21-2 Ilan - How about some sorrow 15:30  |  * BEN JABO 23/09/08
      35.   #1 if true the imams in question should be arrested 15:41  |  Joe Frazier 23/09/08
      36.   #11 To Mordechai on "nuts" 15:42  |  Hastaroth 23/09/08
      37.   Suicide by any other name 15:47  |  Paul 23/09/08
      38.   Religiously Motivated maybe not Politically 15:50  |  B`Galil 23/09/08
      39.   to #9 Samson - He could have a car bomb as well 15:52  |  B`Galil 23/09/08
      40.   Despondent rejected hamas suitor takes revenge 15:57  |  bat yam 23/09/08
      41.   now that he`s killed, we`ll never know! 16:03  |  northern neighbor 23/09/08
      42.   #16 Boca Raton 16:13  |  John Allen 23/09/08
      43.   killing Qassem was not necessary 16:13  |  Ernst 23/09/08
      44.   Highway "Saddam" revisited....... 16:17  |  Swiss (Dino) 23/09/08
      45.   More Israeli Arabs are involved in abetting or perpetrating ... 16:18  |  Jean Van Daem 23/09/08
      46.   #22 Northern Neighbor 16:26  |  * BEN JABO 23/09/08
      47.   Desperate rejected hamas suitor gets revenge... 16:35  |  bat yam 23/09/08
      48.   IDF: Judge, Prosecutor and Jury 16:42  |  Mary 23/09/08
      49.   Around these parts 16:48  |  Mark Lincoln 23/09/08
      50.   to Ernst 16:51  |  seth 23/09/08
      51.   Hey Caffer 16:54  |  George 23/09/08
      52.   If this had been an Israeli... 16:56  |  Silvienne 23/09/08
      53.   Parents give brat the car keys and look what happens 16:58  |  truly yours 23/09/08
      54.   #46 Mary - Boston 17:03  |  * BEN JABO 23/09/08
      55.   Reality Check to all the pali-revisionists 17:04  |  Arie 23/09/08
      56.   #41 Ernst 17:11  |  * BEN JABO 23/09/08
      57.   to ALL OF YOU 17:20  |  Samira 23/09/08
      58.   It is a shame young people have to die! 17:21  |  Penny Missirlian 23/09/08
      59.   Of course, Mrs al-Mughrabi, of course. Now don`t be misled, 17:48  |  Freethinker 23/09/08
      60.   idf soldiers or innocents...? 18:17  |  ravi 23/09/08
      61.   #41 Speaking from experience? 18:31  |  DesMnsDave 23/09/08
      62.   #9 cause hes an arab, if he was jewish then it was another story 18:32  |  gustav 23/09/08
      63.   where is the evidence that proves he is a terrorist?? 18:35  |  jdito 23/09/08
      64.   To all those who blame the IDF ... 18:48  |  Noami 23/09/08
      65.   jdito _ You Are Absolutely Correct. There Is No Evidence 18:48  |  Eli 23/09/08
      66.   Mordichai Jerusalem 18:53  |  Pamela 23/09/08
      67.   Come on no Sympathy 18:53  |  Dave Duncan 23/09/08
      68.   #31 Muslim Parent 19:00  |  Angus 23/09/08
      69.   Ray 19:02  |  Pamela 23/09/08
      70.   what would happen,,, 19:03  |  gays4israel 23/09/08
      71.   #31 are you kidding? have you never heard of "honor" killings? 19:05  |  McQueen 23/09/08
      72.   jdito: what kind of proof 19:06  |  x-ray 23/09/08
      73.   #49 Gustav 19:09  |  Angus 23/09/08
      74.   The craziness continues 19:17  |  Connie 23/09/08
      75.   Muslim Parent 19:18  |  Pamela 23/09/08
      76.   John Allen 19:21  |  Connie 23/09/08
      77.   Humanitarian crisis 19:24  |  Philippe 23/09/08
      78.   No Terrorist ? 19:28  |  Brant 23/09/08
      79.   41 Ernst 19:39  |  Bill H. 23/09/08
      80.   security forces convinced ? 19:41  |  jerusalem resident 23/09/08
      81.   Nobody asked if he was Moslem or Jew 19:53  |  x-ray 23/09/08
      82.   Father J`shalim attacker: My sons no terrorist 19:59  |  Karliner 23/09/08
      83.   Attack in Jerusalem 20:13  |  Mordechai 23/09/08
      84.   Assume for a moment , 20:19  |  Joe 23/09/08
      85.   "the driver pointed the car directly at the group of soldiers..." 20:40  |  Raymond in DC 23/09/08
      86.   Jew Driving in Arab Village loses control plows into 15 Arabs ? 20:58  |  GZLives 23/09/08
      87.   #49 Samira 21:05  |  * BEN JABO 23/09/08
      88.   Let`s call it even 21:08  |  * BEN JABO 23/09/08
      89.   #46 Mary 21:20  |  jo moor 23/09/08
      90.   To father of J`lem attacker, on saying: "My son`s no terrorist" 21:22  |  Leeza Cohen Coleman 23/09/08
      91.   Ignoramuses, the lot of you 21:24  |  ChanahS 23/09/08
      92.   #77 Joe - USA 21:30  |  * BEN JABO 23/09/08
      93.   FATHER LIKELY `NOT` PROUD OF SON`S TERRORIST ATTACK 21:47  |  dp 23/09/08
      94.   GZ Lives 21:57  |  Philippe 23/09/08
      95.   #79 GZ lives - Jew doesn`t have to hit anybody 22:03  |  * BEN JABO 23/09/08
      96.   re `Why there was a need to shoot him after he hit the wall? ` 22:08  |  Colin Wright 23/09/08
      97.   Honor Killings 22:12  |  Avi 23/09/08
      98.   # 82 He and his entire clan should have been killed a long time.. 22:36  |  misha 23/09/08
      99.   RE:re `Why there was a need to shoot him after he hit the wall? ` 22:40  |  Proud Israeli 23/09/08
      100.   Terror Attack vs Traffic Accident 22:56  |  Noami 23/09/08
      101.   They cover up for attempted murder, steal , curse, throw stones , 22:58  |  first things first 23/09/08
      102.   Ben--we have read your stuff 23:02  |  Dave Duncan 23/09/08
      103.   Mordechai #76 23:07  |  MaryRose 23/09/08
      104.   1 23:18  |  Sherlicks Wounds 23/09/08
      105.   so if i *accidentally* drive into a mosque, is it an accident? 23:52  |  michelle 23/09/08
      106.   agreed - spoiled bmw driver could do no wrong in father`s eyes 23:53  |  michelle 23/09/08
      107.   #100 Naomi 00:21  |  Ernst 24/09/08
      108.   Overtly Satisfied That the Terrorist PA Arab Was Shot To Death 01:42  |  Joseph.E 24/09/08
      109.   Silvienne _ You Are Brilliant...Of Course! 02:51  |  Eli 24/09/08
      110.   Naomi Shalom _ Why Explain/Apologize? 02:55  |  Eli 24/09/08
      111.   A love-sick suicide taking out Israelis as well 04:28  |  Free Gilad Shalit 24/09/08
      112.   terroist attack 05:58  |  joseph 24/09/08
      113.   Father says my son`s no terrorist 06:52  |  desertrat 24/09/08
      114.   re1 Michele-Jail the Imam 07:10  |  DK 24/09/08
      115.   BMWs and teenagers. 07:39  |  Jack 24/09/08
      116.   BMWs 07:44  |  Jack 24/09/08
      117.   #16 - You are absolutely right about the 14:27  |  Buick from Boca 24/09/08
      118.   #96 Colin Wrong - He was shot because 15:47  |  * BEN JABO 24/09/08
      119.   #102 Dve Duncan - I`ve read some of your stuff 15:58  |  * BEN JABO 24/09/08
      120.   #115 Jack - Richmond VA 16:09  |  * BEN JABO 24/09/08
      121.   #52 Silvienne - If it had been an Israeli 18:04  |  * BEN JABO 24/09/08
      122.   #67 Dave Duncan 18:11  |  * BEN JABO 24/09/08
      123.   #121, Ben Jabo... 19:11  |  Silvienne 24/09/08
      124.   VIDEO / Father of Jerusalem attacker: My son`s no terrorist 22:10  |  James L. 24/09/08
      125.   Jack do me a big favour 23:20  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 24/09/08
      126.   Man who is a car in Bota Raton 23:23  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 24/09/08
      127.   Inmarriges create imbaciles 00:02  |  TOMY 25/09/08
      128.   #121 Silvienne - Read the latest? 17:48  |  * BEN JABO 26/09/08
      129.   Father of Jerusalem attacker: My son`s no terrorist 23:54  |  aj 04/12/08
     Read & React
    Israel braces for settler violence in wake of Hebron house evacuation
    Responses: 118
    Avi Issacharoff: Hebron settler riots were out and out pogroms
    Responses: 140
    Traditional circumcision raises risk of infection, study shows
    Responses: 48
    Obama's 'Palestinian friend' laments catastrophic U.S. policy in Mideast
    Responses: 133


    More Headlines
    03:47 Bush: America will not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon
    02:38 Report: Lebanese general Aoun met Mossad agents during Paris exile
    23:58 Palestinians protest rampage by Hebron settlers
    00:22 Israeli embassy in Mexico gets mail with explosive trace
    02:56 Jimmy Carter to visit Syria, Lebanon next week
    21:24 Study finds genes of Sephardic Jews still strong in Spain
    07:29 Obama's 'Palestinian friend' laments catastrophic U.S. policy in Mideast
    19:52 Egyptian group slams Arab world's poor human rights record
    21:53 Amid Hebron tensions, U.S. tells nationals: Keep out of Jerusalem
    21:25 U.S. Treasury announces sanctions on dealing with terror suspects
    22:45 El Al plane makes emergency landing in T.A. due to fire on board
    21:51 VIDEO / IDF bolsters forces across West Bank in wake of Hebron house eviction
    14:53 ANALYSIS / Hebron settler riots were out and out pogroms
    15:21 Chabad, family of Mumbai victims at odds over nanny's media interviews
    07:58 Traditional circumcision raises risk of infection, study shows
    08:00 Report: India has proof Pakistan spy agency linked to Mumbai attacks
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Summer in Israel
    Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
    Living in Israel Studying in English
    Click & Meet our students from all around the world
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Car rental in Israel
    Shlomo Sixt Receive $15.00 from our low rates.
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Israel's Premier Real Estate Website
    www. israel-property.com
    Hebrew Summer courses
    From $39.95
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved