Israel Police issued a sharp clarification on Wednesday against Ynet reporter Liran Tamari, accusing him of presenting a misleading account of a shooting involving a Nova festival survivor who fled a police checkpoint. Tamari reported that a young man who had been stopped at a checkpoint escaped, was shot during the chase, and has since been hospitalized under the guard of three armed officers, with the Moriah station allegedly appealing a decision allowing his parents to stay by his side.
Police said the report omitted key facts and was a “false and biased publication.” According to their account, the incident happened during an operational activity near Kerem Junction, where the suspect was stopped for inspection but refused to obey officers. They said that when officers tried to arrest him, he got into his car, fled, and hit two police volunteers, who were lightly injured.
The police added that during the escape he broke through two checkpoints, rammed patrol cars, and endangered officers and road users. They said gunfire was used only after the danger continued, leading to the vehicle being stopped and the suspect arrested. Police also said a search of the car found dangerous drugs in an amount not meant for personal use, and that he is being investigated on suspicion of drug offenses after police suspected he intended to sell them.
In their statement, police directly attacked Tamari, saying he again chose to “distort reality” and slander officers who work “day and night” for public safety. They said he should act responsibly and fairly, and not turn his keyboard into a weapon for “absolute fake news.”
