The Department of Police Investigations (DIP) announced this evening (Thursday) that it has opened an investigation into the incident in Binyamin, in which the late Ahuvia Godfather, who died in the vehicle he was traveling in, was overturned during a police chase. As part of the investigation, four police officers were questioned today with a warning and testimonies were collected from other police officers. DIP stated that the entire incident, with all the suspicions that arise in it towards the suspected civilians, including their part in causing the death of the deceased, was investigated by the Israel Police.
Shlomo Ne’eman, Chairman of the Gush Etzion Regional Council, for her beloved Godfather
As stated, in view of the interfaces between the investigations, regarding the stage of the accident and the overturning of the vehicle, the Deputy State Attorney for Criminal Affairs decided to establish a joint investigation team for DIP and Tel Aviv Police, with the suspicions attributed to police being investigated by DIP.
The investigation material collected so far indicates that the incident began on suspicion that a number of suspects threw stones at Palestinians on a road near Gush Etzion. After noticing a police car, the suspects began to flee. During a police chase, at one point, contact was made between the police vehicle and the vehicles of the suspects. The suspects’ vehicle overturned and the deceased was found dead.
Meanwhile, a protest demonstration following the accident takes place at the National Headquarters junction, with dozens of protesters violating the order, confronting the police, causing damage to infrastructure, disrupting light rail traffic and blocking the road at times. To date, 12 protesters have been arrested or detained for disorderly conduct and assaulting police officers. Police forces continue to work to restore order on the spot.