Israeli police kill Palestinian, blame brother-in-law for his death

Authorities in Israel are investigating a Palestinian man for the manslaughter of his brother-in-law who was shot dead by Israeli police earlier this week.

Israeli police shot dead Mustafa Nimir, 27, and wounded his brother-in-law Ali Tayser Nimir, 20, on Monday, as the pair drove through the Shufat refugee camp in occupied east Jerusalem.

Police initially claimed they had opened fire at the pair after they attempted to carry out a car-ramming attack against their officers.

However, the police revised their statement after amateur footage aired on Israel's Channel 10 TV, appeared to show officers shooting after the vehicle had been stopped, suggesting it no longer posed a threat.

Police on Wednesday confirmed that Mustafa Nimir did not pose a threat, but said they were now investigating his brother-in-law for manslaughter.

Police spokeswoman Luba Samri said that Ali, who was driving the vehicle at the time, is being investigated for manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, driving without a licence, driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless endangerment.

The manslaughter investigation indicated police were holding Ali responsible for the death of his brother-in-law who was killed by police.

In June, Israeli troops killed a Palestinian teenager who had been returning from a swimming pool with his friends, claiming they had mistaken the group for stone-throwers, sparking outrage and debate about Israel’s use of excessive force.

Violence since October has killed 223 Palestinians, 34 Israelis, two Americans, one Eritrean and a Sudanese.

Israeli forces say most of the Palestinians killed were carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks.

Others were shot dead during protests and clashes, while some were killed in Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip.

Israel has faced accusations of excessive force in certain cases for allegedly shooting dead Palestinian attackers after they appeared to be subdued and posed no further threat.