Car accident, or terror attack?
Car accident, or terror attack?Israel news photo: (illustrative)

A car driven by Palestinian Authority Arabs collided Thursday evening with a vehicle driven by Israeli citizens of Shavei Shomron, a small community in Samaria. The “accident” occurred in the exact same spot where Rabbi Meir Chai was murdered in a drive-by terrorist shooting less than two months ago, on the road between the communities of Shavei Shomron and Einav.

A coincidence?

The Arab driver emerged from his car and started walking towards the Jews. Fearing for their safety, one of the Jewish passengers fired a shot in the air. The Arab headed back towards his car and fled in the direction of Tulkarm, a PA-controlled Arab city in Samaria.

The Samaria Regional Council warned after the murder of Rabbi Meir Chai that opening the security checkpoints between Shechem and Tulkarm on both sides of the artery  made it extremely dangerous and demanded that the checkpoints be re-closed.

The Council said Thursday night that the Arab driver, who could have been another terrorist, came from the same area as the one who carried out the murderous attack Wednesday near the community of Kfar Tapuach.

In recent years, evidence has risen about terrorist involvement in apparent accidents in Judea and Samaria. It includes the placement of rocks on roads in a way that made cars flip. The family of one Israeli who was seriously injured when his vehicle collided with a truck believes the driver of the truck intentionally hit him.

In the military cemetery in the Galilee village of Kfar Maghar, hundreds accompanied 28-year-old Sgt. First Class Ihab Hatib of the Kfir Brigade to his final resting place. Hatib was murdered by a Palestinian Authority police officer who ran up to his jeep and stabbed the Israeli soldier in the chest as he sat at the Tapuach intersection in Samaria with the window open.

Friday morning a delegation from the Council of Judea and Samaria planned to pay their respects to Hatib's family at his home in the northern village, which has a large Druze population. Among the delegates were the heads of the local municipal councils, rabbis and public officials.