An adviser to Education Minister Yifat Shasha-Biton was shot dead was shot dead in his car near his home in the northern Arab village of Rameh on Sunday, the police confirmed.
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Sahar Ismail, 50, who was recently named as the education minister's adviser on Arab society, was also a close associate of New Hope leader Gideon Sa'ar and was placed 17th on the faction's Knesset roster ahead of March 20 election, in which the party won six seats.
Police and paramedics rushed to the Ismail family home early on Sunday morning, following a report of gunfire.
"When we arrived at the scene we saw a man suffering from a penetrating injury to his body. He was unconscious, with no pulse or respiration," one paramedic told Channel 12 News. MDA medic said
"We performed medical tests but he was exhibiting no signs of life. We had no choice but to pronounce him dead at the scene."
An eyewitness told the media that "a masked man fired several shots [at Ismail] and then fled the scene. We don't know if anyone was helping him. After the shots were fired there was an eerie silence for a few minutes, and then we heard family members scream and cry. We understood that Sahar was killed. He was ambushed."
Rameh Mayor Shauki Latif also said that Ismail was "killed by a string of bullets."
Israeli media quoted police sources as saying Ismail seems to have fallen victim to premeditated murder. An investigation is underway and all leads are being pursued, reports said.
Shasha-Biton and Sa'ar both expressed shock by the news.
"Education Minister Dr. Yifat Shasha-Biton was stunned to learn of the murder of Sahar Ismail, her Arab affairs adviser and is in close contact with his immediate family," the Education Ministry said in a statement.
"Sahar Ismail, a beloved dear friend and a political partner, was murdered this morning in Rameh," Sa'ar tweeted.
"A kind-hearted man, who loved people and loved the country, an honest and brave leader, a true friend. It is incomprehensible that I will no longer see him. I am sure that the Israel Police will apprehend his despicable murderers and bring them to justice," Sa'ar wrote.
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