Israel Appeals for Harsher Sentence in Violent Robbery of Elderly Woman

The State of Israel is appealing to the Supreme Court to increase the prison sentence of Ziv Chen, 38, who was convicted of violently robbing an 87-year-old woman in Ramat Gan. Chen was sentenced to 35 months in prison, but the state argues this sentence does not adequately consider the nature of the crime, the victim's suffering, and Chen's extensive criminal history.

The robbery occurred on May 31, 2025, when Chen targeted the elderly woman, who was using a walking stick and wearing a gold chain valued at approximately 3,500 shekels. After observing that no one was around, Chen approached her from behind, violently pulled the chain from her neck, causing her to fall to the ground, and fled with the pendant. The victim sustained injuries and experienced significant physical and emotional distress following the attack, becoming fearful and dependent on others.

Chen has a record of ten previous convictions, including violent offenses and theft, for which he has served over 13 years in prison. Notably, he has a prior conviction for a similar offense involving the theft of a chain from another elderly woman. The state contends that previous incarcerations and suspended sentences have failed to deter him from re-offending.

Furthermore, Chen committed this robbery while on a conditional release from a previous sentence. The state is also challenging the decision to run only half of a previously suspended 10-month sentence concurrently with his new sentence, arguing that it should have been fully added. The prosecution is seeking a significantly harsher penalty, emphasizing the severe impact on the victim, which extends beyond the monetary value of the stolen item, and pointing to precedents of longer sentences for similar crimes.

The Supreme Court will now decide whether Chen's 35-month sentence will stand or if his criminal past, the nature of the attack, and the lasting trauma inflicted on the victim warrant a more severe punishment.