Hamed’s attack on Cohen. Photo: Video screenshot.

Co-workers of the Palestinian terrorist who carried out last week’s ax attack at the Ma’ale Adumim mall said he had not exhibited any signs of extremism, the Hebrew news site Walla reported on Monday.

Saadi Ali Abu Hamed’s boss said he was a considerate and friendly worker. “We used to smoke and drink coffee together all the time. I never suspected him,” he said.

He complimented Hamed’s brothers, who also work at the mall, calling them a good family. “I never saw hatred in their eyes. They came to work and never talked about the political situation,” he said. “Whenever a terror attack occurred, they’d lower their eyes in shame.”

“If his brothers knew what he was planning, I’m absolutely certain they would have stopped him,” said Hamed’s boss.

Last Thursday night, Hamed attacked Tzvika Cohen — a mall security guard — with an ax, striking him repeatedly in the head and upper body, leaving him critically wounded. Hamed fled the scene and two days later was arrested by Israeli security forces, after they were alerted by family members that he was ready to turn himself in.