Brothers Sentenced to 19 and 14.5 Years for "Honor" Attack

The Jerusalem District Court has sentenced two brothers, Ahmad Ahmad Abdalla and Muhammad Ahmad Abdalla, to 19 and 14.5 years in prison, respectively, for a premeditated attempted murder motivated by "family honor." They were convicted of attempted murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery, weapons possession, and obstruction of justice.

The attack occurred in April 2023 when the brothers, along with accomplices, targeted a young man for his romantic relationship with their sister. Ahmad's then-partner used a fake TikTok account to lure the victim to a parking lot near the Mar Elias Monastery in Jerusalem. Upon the victim's arrival with another man, the defendants blocked their car, smashed the windows, and attacked the occupants with clubs.

According to the indictment, Ahmad fired 11 shots at the vehicle, with one bullet striking the driver in the chest. The car lost control and crashed into a pole. The assailants then pursued the victim on foot, beat him with iron rods, stole his mobile phone, and Ahmad shot him in the upper body from close range. Both victims sustained severe injuries, with the primary victim requiring spleen removal.

The prosecution detailed the attackers' extensive planning, including reconnaissance, use of fake accounts and burner phones, acquisition of weapons and disguises, altering license plates, and real-time coordination. The court also ordered each brother to pay 135,000 shekels in compensation to the two victims. Ahmad also forfeited 40,000 shekels posted as bail for an impounded vehicle.

Another defendant, found guilty of assault causing injury and obstruction of justice, received a three-month sentence, credited as time served, plus probation and a 5,000 shekel compensation payment. She was acquitted of the more severe charges, including attempted murder and armed robbery.