The killing of Eyad al-Hallaq and the subsequent acquittal of the officer highlighted systemic concerns about Israeli police accountability and treatment of Palestinians.
Key Facts
- Victim's age
- 32 years old
- Victim's condition
- Unarmed and autistic
- Shots fired
- At least 7
- Officer acquitted
- 6 July 2023, reckless homicide charge
- Complaints resulting in indictment
- 1.2% of complaints against officers in 2021
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
On 30 May 2020, Eyad al-Hallaq, a 32-year-old unarmed autistic Palestinian man, was walking to a special needs school in East Jerusalem. Israeli Border Police officers at the Lions' Gate checkpoint attempted to stop him. Hallaq fled, reportedly frightened, and hid in a nearby garbage shed.
Israeli Border Police officers fired at least seven times toward Hallaq as he fled the checkpoint. An Israeli officer then shot him dead inside the shed where he was hiding. The officer later claimed he believed Hallaq was attacking a woman, who turned out to be Hallaq's school counselor.
An Israeli court acquitted the officer in July 2023, citing self-defense. The verdict provoked Palestinian outrage and drew international comparisons to the killing of George Floyd. Israeli state data showed only 1.2% of complaints against officers in 2021 led to indictments, fueling debate over police accountability.