Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan (Likud) warned civilians and security forces alike not to harm terrorists once they are neutralized Tuesday, following the lynching of Eritrean national Haftom Zarhum. Zarhum died Sunday after witnesses to a terror attack in the Be'er Sheva Central Bus station mistook him for a terrorist.
"What happened is sad and shocking - it should not happen and I hope the police complete their investigation quickly," Erdan stated, in an interview with Walla! News.
"We do not want to see civilians who beat a man bloody, whether he is a terrorist or not. I condemn it and hope the police will complete their investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice."
"It must be clear to everyone that we do not judge - if we were able to neutralize the terrorist, and he is no longer a danger, we certainly should not continue to hurt him until he's in serious condition," Erdan stressed.
While Erdan admitted that, on the national scale, "there is a general tense atmosphere in public places that stems from fear and stress taking its toll," he refused to condone the wrongful death.
"I have no forgiveness and understanding of the situation," he said. "When you see footage of what happened, you can clearly see that the Eritrean national was helpless."