The police officer who was run over and killed by a Palestinian Arab on Highway 4 near the Raanana junction early Sunday morning has been identified as Major Barak Meshulam.

Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai said: "Tonight, the Israel Police lost an outstanding police officer who did exactly his job as a police officer and as a defender of the public and the state. Barak, who heard about a stolen vehicle making its way to his sector, arrived at the intersection, blocked it and hoped to stop the vehicle and the thief. This is a daily activity that hundreds and thousands of Israeli police officers carry out, and we see once again that the home front is the combat zone for the Israeli police and that our routine in the fight against crime can be very deadly and claim victims among our police officers."

"Barak, who served in the Border Police, had extensive operational experience and served as a shift leader in the Raanana municipal police. He was involved in policing all his adult life for exactly the right motives of patriotism and the importance of protecting the citizens of the country. The pursuit of contact flowed through Barak's veins and was well known to his commanders and comrades. In every activity and operation he was the first to run forward and charge. In his role, he served the citizens of the city and the area faithfully and he was an example of initiative, professionalism and great determination."

"At this difficult time, we are strengthening Barak's family, his widow, children, parents and brothers. We will support and accompany them forever. The circumstances of the incident are still being investigated but we will not remain silent until we prosecute the suspect who was arrested to the full extent of the law," he concluded.

Meshulam was struck by a 17-year-old from Ramallah who hit him with a stolen vehicle on Highway 4 near the Raanana junction. He was found sprawled on the crosswalk on the other side of the road. The Palestinian Arab fled the scene and was arrested hours later on suspicion of murder.

Police suspect that the vehicle used to run over the officer, which was stolen earlier from the Gush Dan area, emerged from the south, and hit the policeman who was standing at the checkpoint that was set up as part of the pursuit after the vehicle, killing him.