IDF reservist doctor's family demands police probe death as hate crime

• Published date: 17 January 2021
• Date: 17 January 2021
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Harlev's body was found with gunshot wounds on Tuesday night in the Lahav Forest north of Beersheba. An initial investigation led the police to believe that he had committed suicide, N12 reported, an assumption that his family has rejected.

Harlev was apparently on his way home in uniform from a meeting with his IDF reserve unit before contact with him was lost, raising the family's concerns.

According to a statement released by Harlev's family on Saturday evening, they "reject the unfounded rumors about the circumstances of Avi's death that have circulated. We were convinced from the very first moment that Avi was murdered."

The family said it does not intend to attack the police and those investigating the case, but only asks that all options be properly investigated, "including the possibility of a hate crime," the statement said.

Harlev had been busy planning personal and professional endeavors, the family said, dismissing the possibility of suicide. He had spoken to his unit's commander and agreed to continue his voluntary reserve duty in the IDF just hours before his death, the statement said.

Hebron Hills Regional Council head Yochai Damari said the police should investigate whether the...