(Andrew Friedman/TPS) Sergeant Major Erez Levi, a 34-year-old police officer, was killed during a riot at the unrecognized Bedouin village of Um Al Hiran. In addition, Ya’akub Musa Abu al-Qi’an, a school teacher who lives in the village, was also killed. Several residents and police officers were injured, including MK Ayman Odeh, leader of the Joint List.

Police claim Abu al-Qi’an was shot in self-defense, after he deliberately rammed his SUV into a group of police officers, fatally hitting Erez Levi. Security sources describe him as a terrorist active in the Islamist Movement. Adalah, a major civil rights Arab NGO, has refuted the accusations, saying he was a teacher with no record of political activism.

The riot broke out early this morning when a large force of police officers entered the village to implement a court-sanctioned demolition order against an illegally built house in the village. Residents started attacking the police officers and a riot broke out, during which Abu al Qi’an allegedly rammed police with his car.

There are conflicting reports as to the injuries suffered by MK Ayman Odeh. MDA (Magen David Adom) reported he had been hit by a rock, but media reports indicate he may have been shot with sponge-tipped non-lethal bullets. Soroka Hospital said they could not determine the cause of his injuries.