Nimr Mahmoud al-Jamal of the West Bank village of Beit Surik opened fire at the gate to the nearby Israeli settlement of Har Adar on Sept. 26, killing a policeman and two security guards. The terror attack reignited the ongoing argument between the Israeli political echelon and defense officials — Ministry of Defense, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet — regarding the profile of would-be terrorists.

Jamal, married and a father of four, does not fit the composite of potential terrorists drawn up by the security establishment during the second Palestinian intifada (2000-2005), and amended to reflect the renewed wave of terror attacks against Israelis that began in September 2015.

The Shin Bet screens every Palestinian who wants to work in an Israeli settlement in the West Bank or in Israel proper. The basic age requirement is 35. In the past, the required age was at least 40, but due to the severe economic downturn in the Palestinian Authority, it was dropped to 35 — provided the applicant is married with children. This condition is based on the assumption that family commitments would prevent family men from carrying out terror attacks. Applicants also have to prove that they are not members of any Palestinian terror organization, and that none of their close relatives have been involved in terrorism, nor injured or killed in clashes with Israelis, for fear they would seek revenge.

Jamal met all the criteria and was granted a permit to work in an Israeli border settlement.