'Personal problems have motivated recent lone-wolf Palestinian attackers'

Shin Bet cites recent examples from recent terror wave.

By BEN HARTMAN
Updated: MARCH 17, 2016 04:08
UNITED HATZALAH volunteers evacuate a wounded victim from a terrorist attack in Jerusalem. (photo credit: Courtesy)
UNITED HATZALAH volunteers evacuate a wounded victim from a terrorist attack in Jerusalem.
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Psychological problems are a recurring motive for Palestinian “lone wolf” attackers as of late, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) said on Wednesday.
The security agency’s website cited the example of Fouad Tamimi, who wounded two Border Police officers in a shooting attack on Salah a-Din Street in east Jerusalem earlier this month. According to the Shin Bet, Tamimi was known as a thief and a drug addict.
Like other attackers, he was not identified with any terrorist group nor did he have any prior security arrests, according to the Shin Bet.
They also cited the example of Fadwa Ahmad Abu Teir, a 50-year-old mother of five from east Jerusalem who was shot dead earlier this month attempting a stabbing attack in the Old City. According to the Shin Bet, after the attack, it was determined that she had suffered from depression for a prolonged period of time.
“Many recent terrorist attacks have been carried out amid an environment of wild incitement that originates with the Palestinian Authority and with terrorist organizations and, it turns out, also influences people with personality problems, such as Fouad Tamimi and Fadwa Ahmad Abu Teir, and pushes them to carry out terrorist attacks,” the agency said.
The Shin Bet also said that in three terrorist attacks in March, the assailants had either received resident status in Israel or were in the process of doing so by way of the family- reunification process.