Being a Palestinian is not a crime

Video. Outrage as Israeli police kill autistic Palestinian man

Israeli police in Jerusalem shot and killed an autistic Palestinian who they mistakenly thought was armed with a gun, provoking furious condemnation and reviving complaints alleging excessive force by Israeli security forces.

Israeli police in Jerusalem shot and killed an autistic Palestinian who they mistakenly thought was armed with a gun, provoking furious condemnation and reviving complaints alleging excessive force by Israeli security forces.

The shooting occurred on Saturday in the alleyways of the Old Walled City near the Lions Gate, an access point used mainly by Palestinians.

The official Palestinian news agency Wafa identified the dead man as Iyad Khairi Halak, a 32-year-old with special needs, from the Wadi Joz neighbourhood of East Jerusalem.

The Fatah party of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas denounced the killing as a "war crime". It said it held Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fully responsible for the "execution of a young disabled man".

Israel's defence minister apologized on Sunday for the deadly shooting. Benny Gantz is also Israel's “alternate” prime minister under a power-sharing deal. 

“We are really sorry about the incident in which Iyad Halak was shot to death and we share in the family's grief,” Gantz said. “I am sure this subject will be investigated swiftly and conclusions will be reached.”

Netanyahu, present at the Cabinet meeting as Gantz spoke, made no comment.

Palestinian leaders demanded that whoever killed the man be brought before the International Criminal Court.

Later, on Saturday, some 200 Israeli protesters protested near the police headquarters in Jerusalem to denounce Halak's killing.