Dispute Erupts Over Fatal Hit-and-Run in Hadera: Criminal or Nationalistic Motive?

A sharp dispute has emerged regarding the circumstances of the death of Amihai Atia, a 12th-grade student from the "Hetzim" yeshiva in Itamar, who was run over early Friday morning in the "Village" shopping complex in Hadera. While police stated that at this stage only a criminal background is being investigated, his family, friends, and public figures are claiming the incident was nationalistic in nature.

According to the police, initial findings suggest the event began with a confrontation between parties, during which the teenager was run over, followed by gunfire. Atia was critically injured and later pronounced dead at the hospital. The driver of the vehicle sustained minor injuries from the shooting and was taken for medical treatment.

Member of Knesset Tali Gottlieb asserted that Atia was intentionally run over by an Arab truck driver. She strongly criticized the initial assessment of a criminal motive, calling it a "malicious hit-and-run attack." Gottlieb stated, "Amihai Atia, a religious Jew, came to say Selichot prayers. An Arab truck driver intentionally ran him over, critically injuring him and causing his death. A friend of the deceased youth then shot at the 'innocent' truck driver who fled the scene." She further added, "A malicious hit-and-run attack by an Arab truck driver on a Jewish man wearing a kippah from Samaria. And the Shin Bet is petting the cursed terrorist." She suggested the Shin Bet should learn from Minister Ben-Gvir how to deter terrorists.

Journalist Elchanan Groner reported that the victim's friends claim it was a murder motivated by nationalism, contrary to the police's definition. The "Torat Lechima" organization also rejected the description of the event as a "confrontation," asserting the student was not involved in any such incident. A spokesperson for the Samaria Regional Council clarified that Atia "was not involved in any confrontation" and urged caution in publishing unverified details, noting the investigation is ongoing and the family has not yet buried the child.

The police emphasized that these are only preliminary findings. Investigators collected evidence at the scene, and following an assessment, the investigation was transferred to the Central Unit of the Menashe Region. At this time, there is no suspicion of a terror attack, but the investigation is not yet complete.