Israeli Policeman Murdered As Palestinian Car Thief Rams Him At Roadblock

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — An Israeli policeman was rammed and murdered by a Palestinian car thief who broke through a roadblock near Raanana on Saturday night.

Staff Sergeant Major Barak Meshulam, a 30-year-old father of two, served in Border Police from 2011-2014 and immediately afterwards joined police as a patrol member of the Kfar Saba precinct.

Meshulam was stationed at a roadblock when the 17-year-old Palestinian who had stolen a car in Holon and was being pursued by police, decided to break through the roadblock and rammed into Meshulam, killing him at the scene. The Palestinian, who abandoned the car and escaped on foot, was later apprehended by police.

A police statement said that “during the course of the night we lost a dear policeman, Staff Sergeant Major Barak Meshulam Z’l, during operational activities in the Sharon sector, after a Ramallah resident murdered him while breaking through a police roadblock near Raanana junction with a stolen car.”

MDA paramedic Aviv Solomon related that “the policeman suffered severe multi-system injuries and was unconscious. We performed medical tests but he did not show any sign of life and we were forced to declare his death.”

Police Commissioner Yaakov Shabtai said that “Israel police lost an outstanding policeman tonight who did exactly what was required of him as a policeman and as a protector of the public and the state. Barak Z’l was alerted to a stolen car making its way to his sector and arrived at the junction, blocking it in the hope of stopping the car and the thief. This is a daily activity performed by hundreds and thousands of police during their routine operations and we see once again that the home front is at the forefront for policemen and our routine battle against crime can be fatal and can lead to casualties amongst our policemen.

“Barak, who had served in Border Police, had much operational experience and served as shift manager at Raanana’s urban police department. He sought to be at the point of contact and in every activity he was the first to run ahead and charge. He served the citizens of the region faithfully and was the epitome of initiative, professionalism and great determination.

“At this difficult hour we offer strength to his family, his widow, children, parents and brothers. We will support and accompany them forever. May his memory be blessed.”