Embassy: Israeli Civilian, not Diplomat, Shot to Death in Amman

An Israeli civilian, who is not a diplomat, was shot to death Tuesday in the Jordanian capital, according to the spokesman for the Israeli embassy. 

"An Israeli citizen, who is not a diplomat, was shot to death in the area of the 7th Circle in Amman," Roey Gilad told AFP. 

This is the first fatal attack on an Israeli in Amman since Jordan and Israel signed a peace treaty in 1994. 

Jordanian Minister Saleh Qallab, meanwhile, confirmed the killing, of what he said was a "diamond trader," at 11:00 am (0800 GMT). 

"This Israeli lives in Amman, where he rents an apartment in the Jabal Amman district, 7th Circle, to which he returned yesterday (Monday)," the minister told AFP. 

The minister did not rule out that the killing had "non-political motives, the Israeli being a diamond merchant." 

He said the attack occurred as the man was leaving his home. 

"Shot were fired at him, killing him instantly," the minister said. 

Israeli foreign ministry spokeswoman, Yaffa Ben Ari, was quoted by Haaretz newspaper as saying that the man was not a diplomat.  

She also said that Jordanian officials were investigating the incident.  

Israel Radio reported that the victim was a businessman, in his 50s, and hailed from the center of Israel.  

On December 5 last year, Shlomo Ratzbi, an employee of the Israeli embassy in Jordan, was shot and lightly wounded in Amman by unidentified gunment who attacked a car in which he was traveling.  

In November last year, the vice consul of the embassy, Yoram Havivian, was lightly wounded in Amman when gunmen tried to kill him – Albawaba.com