Israel Police volunteer killed in ramming attack laid to rest

Carmeli was fatally hit by a drunk driver while volunteering at a police sobriety checkpoint in Rishon Lezion on Saturday morning.

 Israel Police chief Kobi Shabtai lays a wreath on the grave of police volunteer Amichai Carmeli  (photo credit: ISRAEL POLICE SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
Israel Police chief Kobi Shabtai lays a wreath on the grave of police volunteer Amichai Carmeli
(photo credit: ISRAEL POLICE SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

The funeral of Amichay Carmeli, a police volunteer who was killed by a drunk driver last week took place at the Rishon Lezion military cemetery on Sunday afternoon.

Carmeli was fatally hit by a drunk driver while volunteering at a police sobriety checkpoint outside Beit Dagan on Saturday morning.

Carmeli’s daughter Yuval screamed for her father as the casket was brought into the cemetery. His son, Sagi, wore his father’s favorite hat.

As the casket was lowered to the ground his daughter again screamed for her father to return. Carmeli’s father comforted his grandson. He lost his father, and now comforted his grandson who lost his.

 Police investigate after four suspects drove through a sobriety checkpoint, killing volunteer police officer Amichay Carmeli (credit: ISRAEL POLICE SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
Police investigate after four suspects drove through a sobriety checkpoint, killing volunteer police officer Amichay Carmeli (credit: ISRAEL POLICE SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Shabtai attends funeral, speaks to injured volunteers

Israel Police chief Kobi Shabtai was present at Carmeli's funeral and spoke at the funeral, along with Public Security Minister Omer Bar Lev and his predecessor, Likud MK Amir Ohana  Earlier on Sunday, Shabtai spoke with the two injured volunteers and offered his condolences.

"You are part of a significant group of volunteers within Israel Police who risk their lives daily and nightly while taking part in operational activities," Shabtai told the injured volunteers.

At the funeral, Shabtai told those in attendance he believes the incident to be of a criminal background. 

 The funeral of Israel Police volunteer Amichai Carmeli (credit: ISRAEL POLICE SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
The funeral of Israel Police volunteer Amichai Carmeli (credit: ISRAEL POLICE SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Israel Police have accelerated the initial investigation, in which five suspects from the Bedouin city of Rahat, who attempted to drive away after killing the 46-year-old Israeli, were arrested on suspicion of carrying out the ramming attack.

Suspect with criminal history arrested

On Sunday, Israeli media reported that one of the suspects for the murder is a convicted felon who was previously imprisoned for assaulting a police officer, citing a police source.

30-year-old Rani Kamlat, one of the suspects arrested by police, is thought to have driven the car following an initial police probe. The other suspects were identified as 22-year-old Amjad al-Abid, 32-year-old Yatam Abu Eylon, 30-year-old Mu'ataz Abu Elyon and 21-year-old Tamir Kamlat, the latter of whom has been hospitalized.


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The suspects ran over three members of the Israeli National Traffic Police, including Carmeli, after they were asked to stop for a sobriety test at the checkpoint. The two others, whose condition ranges from light to serious, were treated for their injuries at Shamir Medical Center before being released.

Anna Ahronheim, Tamar Uriel-Beeri contributed to this report.