Most Israelis support murderer troopers

More than half of Israelis support a trooper who shot dead a severely wounded and incapacitated Palestinian activist in the occupied al-Khalil (‘Hebron’) last week, according to a poll by an Israeli TV station.

According to a poll conducted for Israel’s Channel 2, 57% of Israelis opposed the soldier’s arrest, while 42% described his actions as “responsible.” Only 5% of those polled said they would describe the shooting as murder.

Also, 50,000 occupiers have signed a petition backing his brutal actions.

The growing support for the trooper comes amid new revelations about the incident, including reports that he was congratulated by a far-right settler activist after the shooting.

The revelations came amid reports of storming at dawn Wednesday by the occupying army of the house of the Palestinian videographer Imad Abu Shamsiya who filmed the tragic scene of the murder.

Local sources said that Israeli forces stormed and violently searched Abu Shamsiya’s house in Tel Ramdiya neighborhood in al-Khalil.

During the raid, Israeli forces checked the identities of foreign activists who were visiting Abu Shamsiya in solidarity with him after receiving death threats from a group of Israeli settlers a day after he captured on camera the Israeli soldier’s killing of the wounded Palestinian.

Human Rights Watch confirmed the threats to Abu Shamsiya, conveyed from settlers to the photographer.

“I now fear for my life and the life of my family. I’m afraid they might attack my house and do me harm,” he said.

Abu Shamsiya has called on official authorities and rights groups to provide him and his family with the needed protection.