Hevron District police commander Itzik Rachamim vehemently denied, Monday, charges by Jewish residents of the area that the police were quick in making their preliminary finding that Friday's murder of Kiryat Arba resident Asher Palmer and his infant son Yehonatan on Friday was a mere traffic accident. The appraisal remained in effect from Friday's overturning of Palmer's car until Sunday, after forensic tests showed Palmer's face was fractured in a rock attack.

Critics said the preliminary appraisal was made to avoid a flaring of tensions. Rachamim responded, "Neither the Israel Defense Forces nor the police have a reason to cover things up. A little bit of patience was needed to reach the findings.