Ofer - Knives, Plea Bargain

Translation: Marganit W.

“We need to punish severely those who try to harm the security forces, whose mission is to maintain public order. In these cases, the public interest takes precedence over the personal interest of the felon.” (from the minutes)

Judge: vice-president Lieut. Col. Zvi Heilbronn

Prosecutor: Captain Elhanan Dreyfuss

Defense: Atty. Akram Samarra

Defendant: Abla Abd Alwahad Hassan Aladam – ID 980417786

According to the indictment: on 20.12.15 Abla arrived at “Hassam Ha-shoter” Checkpoint in Hebron. The facility was undergoing repairs so the soldier there would not allow her to cross, whereupon she took a knife out of her bag and brandished it at the soldier.  She was shot on the spot and was seriously injured in the head. She was taken to Hadassah Hospital, where she was immediately interrogated. Abla requires further surgery – she still needs an artificial eye and further operations to repair a missing part of her skull. Her hearing is impaired too.

Abla is 46 years old. She lives in Beit Ula near Hebron. She has 9 children, the youngest is 3.

A plea bargain was presented at the hearing which assesses: Abla is accused of attempted homicide and of possession of a knife.

The punishment:

36 months and a day prison time starting with the day of arrest.

24 months suspended sentence for 4 years to ensure she does not commit a crime endangering human life.

6 months suspended sentence for 5 years for possession of a knife.

And as always – 2000 shekel fine.

Abla’s husband was present in court. They exchanged terms of endearments. Until now the husband has been unable to visit her in jail. The only time he was able to obtain a visit permit, he was stopped at the checkpoint. Don’t ask me why.