Israeli man shot dead by Israeli soldier after being 'mistaken for a Palestinian'

An Israeli soldier shot dead an Israeli man who was "mistaken for a Palestinian", according to reports, highlighting the impunity with which Palestinians are targeted by Israeli forces. 

The 40-year-old man was shot and killed on Monday at a bus stop near the Israeli city of Ra’anana, around 20 kilometres north of Tel Aviv, according to the Times of Israel. 

The Israeli soldier claimed he felt he was in danger when the man approached him in a 'suspicious manner', according to the police, and shot him. 

Mistaking him for a Palestinian, an Israeli soldier shot dead an Israeli man for approaching him in a “suspicious manner” this morning.

A sad incident that reflects the extent to which Israeli forces are willing to extrajudicially kill any Palestinian who acts “suspiciously.” pic.twitter.com/PKmVpM6520

— Maha Hussaini (@MahaGaza) November 14, 2022

Israeli police added that the man had likely needed a 'professional diagnosis', indicating that he might have had mental health issues. 

Scores of Palestinians, including men, women and children, have been shot and killed in a similar manner by Israeli forces, often with no provocation. 

2022 has so far been the deadliest year on record in the West Bank, with the Israeli army making near-daily raids on Palestinian towns. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed, wounded or detained. 

This attack is likely to re-ignite debate about the open fire rules of the Israeli army, which allows them to shoot when they feel threatened. 

Extremist MK Itamar Ben Gvir, who will likely be part of the new Israeli government, has campaigned for the relaxation of the open fire rules which would allow soldiers to use lethal force more easily. 

Ben Gvir will likely be part of the most far-right government in Israel’s history, led by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right allies after their victory in the recent Israeli elections. 

Israeli police chased and gunned down an 32-year-old Palestinian man with learning difficulties in 2020.

He was one of countless unarmed Palestinian civilians killed by Israeli soldiers after claims soldiers felt threatened.