West Bank Man Arrested After Stealing Judge's Car in Tel Aviv

A judge's car was stolen early Sunday morning from northern Tel Aviv. The vehicle, belonging to Tel Aviv District Court Judge Alaa Massarweh, was spotted shortly after the theft traveling north on the Ayalon highway. Police initiated a pursuit, and officers from the Givatayim station were deployed to block the vehicle's path on Highway 5.

When the driver reached a roadblock, officers ordered him to stop. However, the suspect allegedly failed to comply, collided with another vehicle, and continued driving. Police pursued the car until they were able to bring it to a halt. Bodycam footage shows officers approaching the car, and after the driver refused to exit, they smashed the driver's window and removed him.

The suspect was identified as Tarek Jarar, a 46-year-old resident of Jenin who was in Israel illegally. During his interrogation, Jarar claimed he was unaware the car was stolen. He stated that another individual had sold him the car, and he believed it was legitimately acquired. Police have charged him with car theft, willful damage, driving without a license, and driving without insurance.

During a remand hearing at the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court, Jarar's defense attorney argued that he came to Israel seeking work due to his family's financial difficulties in Jenin. She reiterated that he received the car from another person and did not know it was stolen, also requesting a psychiatric evaluation for him. The stolen vehicle was returned to Judge Massarweh. Magistrate Ravit Peleg Bar Dayan extended Jarar's detention until September 8, 2026, while the investigation into the theft and pursuit continues.