Hiking Attack Survivor Denounces Media Claims, Details Deadly Clash Near Palestinian Village

Roy Brown, an Ariel resident and teacher, who was among the hikers caught in a deadly attack near the Palestinian village of Tel, spoke out on Channel 14's "The Patriots" program to clarify the events. Brown rejected media reports claiming the group entered the village, stating they remained outside and faced hostility from the start, including stone-throwing and assaults with clubs. He described efforts to de-escalate tensions by sending members to negotiate, which failed as dozens of attackers continued their assault.

The situation escalated into a violent confrontation resulting in the deaths of Yuval Ezra and Benyahu Malt, both of whom were killed during the attack. Brown recounted a critical moment when a Golani soldier in the group shot two assailants who were attempting to seize his weapon. Brown himself did not fire, explaining the complex and restrictive rules of engagement in the West Bank, where even justified use of firearms can lead to investigations and weapon confiscation.

After the shooting, Brown and others provided emergency aid under ongoing threat, performing CPR on Malt until medical teams arrived. He expressed frustration over what he described as a defamation campaign against the hikers, emphasizing the need to clear their names and criticizing the current open-fire policies that he believes cost lives.

Brown also shared his experience visiting the Ezra family during their shiva, highlighting a message of unity beyond political labels. He stressed that personal encounters reveal the shared humanity behind the conflict and called for cooperation rather than blame to improve the situation.

The interview sheds light on the complexities faced by civilians in conflict zones, the challenges of self-defense under restrictive rules, and the ongoing tensions in the West Bank.