JERUSALEM, Israel - Friends and family of Avraham Ozeri, 86, who died after being stabbed yesterday in Jerusalem, described him as "the salt of the earth."

"My father was a man whom everyone loved and who never wronged a single person," said the victim's son, Amos.

Ozeri, who was widowed 10 years ago, was on his way home after doing some errands when 20-year-old Mohammed al-Badan stabbed him in the chest.

Al-Badan, a resident of the Arab village of Tekoa near Bethlehem, had been approached by policeman Daniel Motza and his female partner, Officer Elmadan, for a routine check when he pulled out a large knife and attacked the male officer before fleeing, stabbing Ozeri on his way.

While Elmadan radioed for help, Motza managed to shoot the attacker as he fled. Two civilians gave chase, catching up and holding him at gunpoint until reinforcements arrived.

Al-Badan is recovering from moderate wounds at Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital.

Later, an IDF unit, which entered Tekoa to investigate near the al-Badan's home, found themselves under attack by an estimated at 125 rioters.

Hamas officials called the attack a "natural response" to Israeli aggression and efforts to make Jerusalem more Jewish.

Thursday's incident is the eighth attack in recent months in the nation's capital.

Source:  The Jerusalem Post