Please click here for a list of posts relating to the Arab rioting throughout Israel in May 2021.
Honenu Atty. Bleicher and Gabai’s father-in-law; Photo credit: Honenu
Monday, June 19, 2023, 14:22 On Monday, June 19, the Lod District Court convicted a Lod resident (a minor) of stabbing and injuring Meir Gabai in a terror attack during Operation Guardian of the Walls. The terrorist was convicted of aggravated assault in an act of terror. Honenu Attorney Chayim Bleicher is representing Gabai.
In May 2021, as Gabai returned home from prayers in the synagogue, a group of Arabs attacked him with rocks as they called out, “Allah akbar.” One of the Arabs stabbed and injured Gabai with a pocketknife as his wife watched the attack from a window in their home. Since the attack, Gabai has been undergoing rehabilitation for the emotional injury he experienced.
After the Lod District Court hearing, Gabai’s father-in-law said, “We thank Honenu for their assistance throughout the entire trial. We also thank the State Attorney’s Office that strove to do justice in the terrorist’s trial. Since the attack, my son-in-law and his family have been coping with severe post-trauma. We expect a substantial sentence and a two-digit prison term for the terrorist.”
Gabai’s father-in-law and wife, Gil; Photo credit: Honenu
Meir Gabai’s wife, Gil, also spoke after the hearing: “The terrorist injured us most severely. Meir has been undergoing a prolonged rehabilitation process since the attack. We are pleased that the court ruled that [the assailant] is a terrorist, and we hope that he will be severely penalized to act as a deterrent against similar attacks in the future.”
Honenu Attorney Chayim Bleicher further stated, “The terrorist acted as part of the wave of terror washing over Israeli cities during Operation Guardian of the Walls. Unfortunately, the terrorist was only charged with aggravated assault, not attempted murder. His attorneys claimed that he did not plan the act and made other blatantly false claims. The court determined that the terrorist was nationalistically motivated and that the stabbing could have resulted in murder. Although the terrorist is a minor, we expect the court to hand down a stiff penalty. Terror must be deterred, and to that end, penalties must be appropriate to the crime.”