Was the airplane of Israel's new chief of the disputed territories sabotaged?

Brig. Gen. Munir Amar's (left) plane crashes 7-weeks into governing Territories

Israeli Brigadier General Munir Amar, chief of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Unit (COGAT), was killed on Friday when the light plane he piloted crashed into a cliff about fifteen minutes after takeoff, Israeli news site Ynet reported. Gen. Amar, the only person aboard, had only assumed the role from a Jewish Israeli 7-weeks ago.

COGAT's website describes the unit as "responsible for implementing the government's policy in Judea and Samaria and vis-à-vis the Gaza Strip" and "constitutes the civilian authority for residential zoning and infrastructure and is responsible for addressing the needs of Israeli settlements in the West Bank."

Amar's predecessor, Brig. Gen. David Menachem, had lead constant efforts to improve and develop the economy and infrastructure of Judea and Samaria, assist the local population, and maintain Israel's security.

Examples include introducing initiatives to develop the agriculture, hi-tech and export sectors in Judea and Samaria; increasing the number of Palestinian workers in Israel; 
facilitating the entrance of Palestinian men over 55 and women over 50 into Israel without requiring a permit; and generally increasing cooperation between Israel and the Palestinians.


Before assuming his COGAT position on February 3rd, Amar served as commander of the IDF's Arab-speaking Sword Battalion, commander of the Hermon Brigade, and commander of the Home Front Command's Northern District.

Amar, 47, was a married father of three and a resident of the Druze town of Julis in the western Galilee, Israeli news site Walla reported.

Source: i24 News 25 March 2016