JERUSALEM (JTA) — A Jewish construction worker who fell to his death in Petach Tikvah in September was the victim of a terrorist attack, police say.
Nathaniel Arami, 26, fell 11 stories from the side of a high-rise building where he was doing exterior work when both of his rappelling cables snapped in an incident on Sept. 16. His co-workers had finished work and walked away from the site before he fell.
Three Arab co-workers had been taken in for questioning by the Shin Bet security service and Israel Police following the death but later were released, according to reports. Most of the workers on the construction site were Arab-Israelis and Palestinians, according to reports.
Police initially said the fall was an accident. The family called for the lifting of a gag order on the investigation imposed by the Petach Tikvah Magistrate’s Court, calling the order a cover-up. The court lifted the gag order on Wednesday.
Also on Wednesday, Arami’s family was recognized as victims of terrorism, entitling them to compensation. Arami is survived by a pregnant wife and two young children.
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