Rabbanit Sivan Ohayon; Photo credit: Flash90
Tuesday, November 16, 2021, 13:58 On Tuesday, November 16, the Lod District Court Judges Ruth Lorch, Devora Atar, and Ami Kobo convicted Khalil Abed Alhalaq Mahmed Duikat, the terrorist who murdered Rabbi Shai Ohayon, Hy”d, in Petah Tikva in August 2020. After he admitted to the charges in his indictment, Duikat was convicted of aggravated murder and violations of the Counter-Terrorism Law. Honenu Attorney Chayim Bleicher is representing the Ohayon family as victims of terror and was present at the conviction. A penalty hearing will be held in several months.
The attack, as described in the indictment, is summarized below:
The terrorist worked as a construction worker in Petah Tikva. On the day of the attack, the terrorist took a knife with a 14 cm. blade that was kept in the kitchen on the building site, and decided to use it to kill a Jewish civilian or soldier “for the sake of Palestine, the Palestinian People, the El Aqsa mosque, and Allah”.
The terrorist left the construction site, walked to the Segula Junction, and wandered around for approximately an hour in search of a suitable victim and a suitable opportunity. When the terrorist noticed Rabbi Shai Ohayon, who had a hareidi appearance, he walked towards him. Then the defendant drew the knife from his pocket and stabbed Rabbi Ohayon three times deeply in his chest. The victim called out for help and collapsed. A passer-by noticed what was happening and attempted to drive away the terrorist.
The terrorist left Rabbi Ohayon, who was already in critical condition, returned the knife, which was dripping with the victim’s blood, to his pants pocket and started to walk away from the site as he considered the possibility of stabbing additional Jews in a similar manner.
Several minutes later, security forces located the terrorist and subdued him. Rabbi Ohayon was rushed to Beilinson Hospital, where his death from lethal knife wounds was determined.
The indictment specified the crime: “The defendant intentionally caused the death of a man in an act of terror, of which the motive was political, religious, nationalistic, or ideological, with the intent of arousing public fear or panic.”
Honenu Attorney Chayim Bleicher, who is representing the family as victims of terror: “The terrorist was convicted of murdering Rabbi Shai Ohayon, Hy”d, because he was a Jew. The time has come to look at reality: How have we reached a situation in which Jews are murdered on the main streets of cities!? The State of Israel, as a state that values life, must fight terror and its supporters in any way possible.”
Rabbi Ohayon’s widow, Sivan, spoke after the terrorist was convicted: “It was necessary for the terrorist to admit to the despicable and evil crime that he committed. We do not intend to settle for less than the maximum penalty allowed by law. The appropriate penalty is for the terrorist to rot in prison until his last day, without any preferential conditions, and for his family to be expelled from the country.
“Whoever dares to harm innocent residents is not worthy of the right to live in this country, and neither are any of his relatives who support him. My husband was an honest man who loved everyone, whoever they were. He was a very dedicated and loving husband, father, son, and brother. He is very much missed.”
For more details about the case, click here.