Arab rioting in Lod; Photo credit: Yossi Aloni/Flash90
Please click here for a list of posts relating to the mid-May Arab rioting throughout Israel.
Wednesday, November 10, 2021, 11:44 Following an appeal by his attorney to the Supreme Court, a minor suspected of stabbing a Lod resident at the time of the Arab riots during Operation Guardian of the Walls was released from remand yesterday (Tuesday). The Lod District Court had ordered his remand extended until the end of proceedings. The minor, who is known to the authorities and has a criminal record, was indicted for an act of terror, aggravated assault, and as an alternative to remand will stay in a hostel after his release.
At a hearing today (Wednesday) on the suspect’s release conditions, Honenu Attorney Chayim Bleicher, who accompanied the victim’s family, stated that “it is appalling to see a 17-and-a-half-year-old terrorist smiling on his way to a hostel while youths aged 13-14-15 are held in remand over illegal protests.”
The victim’s family objected to the release of the suspect: “We are disappointed by the Supreme Court’s decision to release the minor to house arrest. The victim is still is still in serious condition, and in contrast the person who tried to murder him out of nationalistic motives has left remand. This is a terrorist with a record of nationalistic violence. With this record, one would expect the Supreme Court not to overturn the ruling of the [Lod] District Court and to hold him in remand until the end of proceedings.
“The terrorist is a dangerous man. He should not be released. It is inconceivable that he will be released while the victim is still injured. Every announcement like this exacerbates his condition. If the previous violent crimes against Jews do not constitute a justified reason for remand until the end of proceedings, then what does? Murder?”
The victim was on his way to bring a car to rescue his family from the rioting they had experienced the previous night, when he was attacked by several Arab rioters and stabbed in the back by one of them. He was evacuated to the Assaf HaRofeh hospital and is still suffering from the effects of the attack.
Honenu Attorney Chayim Bleicher, who is representing the victim and his family as victims of terror, sharply criticized the release of the suspect: “The terrorist is accused of stabbing a Jew, whose life was almost taken, and has a record of many violent acts against Jews. It is inconceivable he would be released from remand while the victim, who has not yet recovered, and his family are still suffering. The court placed the well-being of the despicable terrorist above the serious injury to the victim and his family. The State of Israel has turned into a paradise for terrorists who are working towards the destruction of the Jewish nation.”