Jewish Man Shot Dead at Holy Site For Yelling “G-D is Great!”
JERUSALEM (AP) — A private security guard shot and killed a Jewish man at a key Jerusalem holy site Friday, Israeli police said, after the man reportedly shouted in Arabic.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the guard “fired a number of shots” at the man, a 46-year-old Israeli, who appeared suspicious. The guard told police the man shouted “Allahu Akbar” — “God is great!” in Arabic — and had his hands in his pockets. Arab militants often shout that phrase before carrying out an attack.
The guard said he opened fire because he suspected the man had a weapon in his pocket and thought he may be about to launch an attack, the police spokesman said. When asked if a weapon was found on the man’s body, Rosenfeld said he had no more details.
Police identified the man as an Israeli Jew but did not release his name.
More: Israeli Police: Jewish Man Shot Dead at Holy Site
Everyone who visits the Kotel has to pass through a metal detector and their belongings are searched by guards to make sure they are not carrying a bomb or a weapon. Active duty soldiers may keep their sidearms.
There is no way this man could have smuggled a bomb past the security station. He was shot by a trigger-happy rookie who thought he was a Muslim.