Suspected terrorist tried to kill his wife before attempted stabbing attack
Police say Ramallah resident attempted to drown his wife in the Dead Sea, and later threw acid in her face, days before trying to stab a Border Police officer at a checkpoint
Prosecutors are slated to indict on Thursday a Ramallah resident who attempted to stab an Israeli police officer earlier this month, days after assaulting and attempting to kill his wife.
According to police, the Palestinian man in his 40s drove to a military checkpoint next to Givat Ze’ev, north of Jerusalem, on December 1. While his car was being checked by Border Police officers, he got out and advanced toward the officers while “rummaging through his coat in a suspicious manner,” said police.
The suspect, who was not named by police, reached the officers while waving a knife in his hand, but after they drew their weapons on him, the man threw the knife to the side and was arrested.
During the investigation into the incident, police discovered that days before the suspect attempted to carry out the stabbing attack, he had violently assaulted his wife.
According to police, eyewitnesses say the man attempted unsuccessfully to drown his wife while they were visiting the Dead Sea.
Then, as they were on their way back to Ramallah, he threw acid in her face as they were driving. She managed to escape and wash her face with water provided by a passerby, police said.
The indictment against the man on charges relating to both incidents is slated to be filed on Thursday in a military court.
Much research, including by experts in the United Kingdom and at the United Nations, has found that those who are likely to be radicalized have a high rate of likelihood of a connection to domestic abuse — either as perpetrators, witnesses or victims. Domestic violence is one of the most underreported crimes, meaning the true rates are likely to be higher.
