Honenu Attorney Chayim Bleicher; Photo credit: Honenu
In May 2020 Honenu launched a campaign to put a stop to rock and Molotov cocktail throwing attacks. For a selection of cases in which Honenu Attorneys have represented victims of rock or Molotov cocktail attacks, see here.
Thursday, August 19, 2021, 9:36 In a plea bargain, the Shomron Military Court sentenced Amir Abed Almonam Alaan Khatatba to an active prison sentence of six and a half years and imposed on him payment of 20,000 NIS in compensation to his victims. Khatatba was convicted of throwing Molotov cocktails at an Israeli car near Elon Moreh, injuring two passengers. Honenu Attorney Chayim Bleicher is representing the victims.
The attack occurred approximately two and a half years ago. Khatatba and another defendant, a minor, made Molotov cocktails and threw them at an Israeli car carrying four passengers. The Molotov cocktails hit the car, shattered the back windshield and the left rear side window, and hit a passenger seat. Flames engulfed the car. One of the passengers suffered burns to his throat and two of the passengers were evacuated to the hospital for medical treatment.
Khatatba admitted to a series of security crimes, including a previous instance of making Molotov cocktails, throwing Molotov cocktails at a bus and a taxi, and posting inciting material on social media sites.
As written in the sentence, the acts of the defendant are “extremely serious and damaged the protected values of preservation of physical integrity, of preservation of human life, of public security, and of public order. These acts are especially serious in light of the relevant criminal past of the defendant. For good reason, on many occasions it has been ruled that a Molotov cocktail is a lethal weapon.”
The sentence also states that, “The defendant and his friend… acted with determination and fearlessness. Unfortunately, the results were not long in coming. I have no doubt that the crime victims experienced threatening moments as a result of the acts of the defendant and his friend.”
Honenu Attorney Chayim Bleicher, who is representing the victims, welcomed the decision: “The penalty handed down in the sentence is a significant prison term, in addition to compensation of 10,000 NIS. There is no doubt that every terrorist must sit in prison for decades, if not for life. However, under the current conditions, this sentence is an achievement, and if not for the involvement of the victims with the case, the terrorists would have likely received a lighter sentence. We will continue to assist the victims during the trials of the terrorists, and we will work towards stiffer sentences for terrorists.”