It began as a routine security check at the entrance to the bustling Malha Mall in Jerusalem. A man and woman arrived together, the woman holding a Palestinian ID without a valid entry permit to Israel, and the driver responding calmly: “She’s my daughter. I’m Shin Bet, she works with us.” Minutes later, both were under arrest – and the case took a sharp turn.
Illegal entry to Jerusalem and posing as a security officer
According to the Jerusalem District Police, mall security noticed the green Palestinian identity card during the check. A few days ago, when asked to explain, the driver insisted he had served with the Shin Bet and repeated the claim even when a second guard arrived to verify his identity.
Police officers from the Moriah station transferred the pair for questioning. Investigators say the driver, a man in his fifties from Tel Aviv-Jaffa, drove to the village of Bir Zeit near Ramallah, picked up the woman, and brought her into Jerusalem without a legal entry permit. Police also discovered that his driver’s license expired back in 2010, and the vehicle was uninsured.
After sufficient evidence was gathered, the Jerusalem District Prosecution Unit filed an indictment against the driver for transporting an illegal resident, posing as a public official, obstructing a public servant, driving without a valid license, and driving without insurance. A motion was also submitted to keep him in custody until the end of legal proceedings.
Jerusalem District Police described the case as both criminal and a serious security risk. “The guards’ vigilance and thorough inspection prevented unlawful entry and led to legal action,” police said. “We will continue to act decisively against illegal infiltrators and those who assist them.”
