Israeli Security Coordinator Charged With Shooting Palestinian Couple
Translated & summarized from Hamal by baba
An indictment was filed against Pinchas Shem Tov Ran, a security coordinator, for allegedly shooting at a Palestinian couple in the village of 'Aqraba. The woman was seriously injured in the incident on September 18. Prosecutors accuse Ran of aggravated assault and obstruction of justice, while Ran claims he acted in self-defense. His arrest has led to protests from other security coordinators.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Security coordinator Pinchas Shem Tov Ran indicted for shooting a Palestinian couple.
- The woman in the car was seriously injured by gunfire on September 18.
- Prosecutors accuse Ran of aggravated assault and obstruction of justice.
- Ran claims he acted in self-defense against a perceived threat.
- His arrest prompted protests from other security coordinators.
Jerusalem District Attorney's office has filed an indictment against Pinchas Shem Tov Ran, a 37-year-old resident of Itamar, for aggravated assault and obstruction of justice. Ran, who was responsible for the security of settlements and farms in the Gid'onim Ridge area, is accused of entering a Palestinian village outside his jurisdiction, stopping residents to check their IDs, and firing at a car carrying a couple. The woman in the car was seriously injured, with one bullet lodging in her lung near her heart.
The indictment details that prior to the shooting, Ran had been warned against leaving his designated area and had been instructed to adhere strictly to procedures, especially regarding opening fire. On September 18, Ran allegedly deviated from his planned route to a nearby farm, entering the village of 'Aqraba with a soldier. Inside the village, Ran is accused of stopping passersby to check their IDs without legal authority.
When a local resident driving a Mazda with his wife did not stop upon Ran's command, fearing for their safety, Ran allegedly fired at least three shots at the rear of the vehicle as it sped away. Two shots hit the car and the woman, causing her serious injury. She underwent surgery and hospitalization.
Following the incident, Ran and the soldier proceeded to their original destination. The indictment further alleges that Ran later returned to the scene to search for shell casings, an act prosecutors consider an attempt to obstruct justice. When questioned by security officials, Ran reportedly denied hearing about or being present at the shooting.
Ran's defense claims he acted in self-defense, stating that a vehicle without license plates drove aggressively towards him and the soldier, posing an immediate threat. He claims he fired into the air to stop the vehicle, which then fled into the village. His arrest sparked protests from other security coordinators in the Samaria Regional Council. Ran is the older brother of Major Or Yosef Ran, who was killed on October 7, and the son of Avri Ran, known for establishing outposts.
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