An Israeli Border Police officer indicted for the killing of a Palestinian teen during a Nakba Day protest in the West Bank has been named.

The Jerusalem District Court on Sunday named Ben Deri, 21, as the officer who was indicted last month for manslaughter in the death of Nadeem Nawara during a violent demonstration in May outside Ramallah in the West Bank. The name of the officer had been under a gag order by the court for the last several weeks.

It is believed that Deri fired a live bullet rather than a rubber bullet during efforts to quell a violent demonstration in May outside Ramallah. The Israel Defense Forces said at the time of the incident that rubber bullets had been used.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

An autopsy performed on Nadeem Siam Nawara, 17, showed that he was killed by live fire. The bullet consistent was with those used by the IDF.

It is believed that the officer fired a live bullet rather than a rubber bullet during efforts to quell a violent demonstration in May outside Ramallah. The Israel Defense Forces said at the time of the incident that rubber bullets had been used.

Deri is accused of switching from rubber bullets to live bullets during the incident, which violates the rules of engagement, according to the indictment. The shooting was captured on video.

Another teen, Muhammad Abu al-Thahir, 15, also was killed that day.

The Forward is free to read, but it isn’t free to produce

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda.

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse.

Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.

This is a great time to support independent Jewish journalism you rely on. Make a gift today!

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$90 $180

$360

Other amount