Palestinian police chief suspended for helping Israelis fix flat tire

A Palestinian law enforcement official landed in hot water with his own government for assisting Israelis whose vehicle caught a flat.

By Associated Press

A local Palestinian police chief has been suspended for helping Israeli soldiers fix a flat tire in Samaria.

Police spokesman Loae Izrekat said on Thursday that Col. Ahmad Abu al-Rub was suspended and referred to an “investigative committee.”

Earlier this week, pictures emerged of the Hebron district chief helping Israelis change their jeep’s flat tire.

The images were widely shared on social media and sparked anger among Palestinians who consider it “collaboration” with the Israeli government. The Palestinian Authority has come under domestic fire for its longtime security cooperation with Israel.

While the PA has threatened to cut ties several times, it has never followed through.

The Israeli vehicle was apparently blocking a road and the Israeli soldiers were struggling to fix the tire when Abu al-Rub offered to help.