On May 29, the Israel Army said four PA security officers were
responsible for the shooting death of Ben Yosef Livnat, a 24-year-old Jew
and nephew of Israeli Culture Minister Limor Livnat, Middle East Newsline reported. An Army investigation
said the officers, later identified as members of NSF, opened fire toward
carloads of Jewish worshippers after prayers in Joseph's Tomb. The Army said
the prayer was not coordinated with either the Army or the PA.
"Israel Defense Forces sources confirmed that the killers of Ben Yosef
were part of the Palestinian NSF unit, trained by the U.S. and Canada," the
Israel Resource Review said.
PA officials said the NSF officers acted in accordance with orders and
would not be prosecuted. They said NSF and other PA security forces were
ordered not to allow Israeli soldiers or civilians in PA-controlled cities
without approval.
So far, the United States has trained seven NSF battalions in
neighboring Jordan. Israel has delayed approval for an eighth battalion to
leave for the four-month course in Jordan, said to include
counter-insurgency and paramilitary skills.
The Israel Resource Review, which has been investigating the NSF
shooting in coordination with Livnat's family, said data on NSF policy and
the killing would be sent to the U.S. Congress and Canadian parliament.
Canada has played a major role in the multi-national staff of the Office of
the U.S. Security Coordinator, headed by U.S. Lt. Gen. Michael Moeller.
"Rivka Livnat, a U.S. citizen, mother of Ben Yosef Livnat, is
considering legal action against the U.S. government," the Israel Resource
Review said.