Family of Israeli embassy shooter in Jordan in hiding

The family of the Israeli embassy guard who killed two Jordanian nationals over a week ago is reported to have fled their homes in Israel after his details were published yesterday by Jordanian media.

Israeli sources said the family of the guard, Ze’ev Moyal, who is thought to be a Shin Bet agent, left their home in the south of Israel and moved in with relatives out of fear for their safety, after a photo of the guard’s ID card, with his picture and name, was published.

Moyal left for Israel after shooting the landlord of the embassy building and a 17-year-old carpenter who was installing furniture at the block. The victims were later identified as Mohamed Al-Jawawdeh, a Palestinian Muslim who was a refugee in Jordan, and a Jordanian Christian doctor, Bashar Hamarneh.

The incident sparked a major diplomatic row between Israel and Jordan, one of its few allies in the region. Jordan charged Ze’ev for murder  and was reported to have reacted furiously at the guard being welcomed back as a hero in Israel.

Read: Jordan should stop bowing to Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warmly received Moyal who thanked the official for his swift reaction and for facilitating his return. Moyal said that he felt as if the whole country was standing behind him.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II criticised Netanyahu after video footage released by his office showed him hugging Moyal. He said: “A staff member at the Israeli Embassy in Amman has shot two of our sons. We will dedicate all the efforts and resources of the Jordanian state to ensure that justice takes its course.”

King Abdullah stressed:

[Netanyahu should] honour his responsibilities and take the necessary legal measures to ensure that the killer is tried and justice is served, rather than exhibiting political showmanship in dealing with this crime to score personal political points.