An indictment against the Jerusalem Old City terrorist stabber who was stopped by the kicks of a border police officer is set to be filed Thursday, Israel Police announced on Wednesday morning.
A video published by the police revealed that the Jenin resident in her 40s had purchased a knife at a homeware store, hours before the September 4 attack. Investigators said that she also purchased a coffee-making pot, likely to decrease suspicion about the knife, but threw the item away. She subsequently switched her phone to airplane mode and gave it to a passerby. She then allegedly prayed at the Temple Mount with the aim of becoming a martyr.
Kicking a terrorist into submission
The terrorist approached a border police officer and attempted to stab him. The officer was wearing a protective vest, which prevented any wounds. The incident was caught on video, showing Sergeant E swiftly kicking the assailant in the chest, sending her to the ground. The officer followed up with a dropkick to incapacitate the attacker.
“I didn’t shoot because there were bystanders at the time,” said E. “I pushed her away by force to neutralize her. The knife fell from her hand, and when she was pinned to the floor and the danger passed, I and the police team that was near me took control of her and arrested her.”
E said they would continue to operate against terrorism and maintain security. Jerusalem District Superintendent Doron Turgeman praised the sergeant, saying he had quickly responded to the situation.
“The policeman’s reaction was immediate, sharp, and determined,” said Turgeman. “Along with continuing operations against terrorist capabilities, we will continue to react in a quick, professional manner in the face of the threat of the ‘lone [wolf] threat,’ which meets us inside and outside in the form of young boys, and this case – a 40-year old terrorist.”
The dramatic video of the attack and the officer’s response was manipulated by terrorists and “foreign interests” into propaganda. The stabbing was cut out of the footage, and only the officer’s kicks to the woman were shown, to give the appearance of abuse. On Thursday the police responded to the circulation of videos, which saw circulation on TikTok and Telegram.
“The lies, the false publications, and incitement have been increasing in social networks in Arabic: In recent days, incitement attempts are inciting in Arabic, especially among the residents of eastern Jerusalem and Palestinians,” said the police. They said that propagandists had attempted “to turn a terrorist who tries to murder a police officer to an innocent woman who just came to pray and attacked.”
The police said that it was unfortunate that there were those who believed the propaganda and called on all to stop the poor-faith distribution of disinformation.