Brothers Sentenced to 19 and 14 Years for Attempted Murder Over Romantic Relationship

Two brothers have been sentenced in Jerusalem to 19 and 14.5 years in prison for orchestrating an attempted murder against a man involved in a romantic relationship with their sister. The attack, which occurred in April 2023, involved luring the victim to a parking lot near the Mar Elias Monastery in Jerusalem using a fake TikTok profile created by the victim's then-girlfriend. Upon arrival, the brothers, along with accomplices, blocked the victim's vehicle, attacked him with clubs, and smashed the car windows.

One of the brothers, Ahmed, fired 11 shots at the car, with one bullet striking the driver in the chest, causing him to lose control and crash into a pole. The assailants then pursued the victim, beat him with iron bars, stole his mobile phone, and Ahmed fired at the victim's upper body from close range. The victim sustained severe injuries, including the removal of his spleen.

Following a trial, the brothers were convicted of attempted murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery, weapons possession, and obstruction of justice. The court noted the meticulous planning involved, including the use of fake social media accounts, reconnaissance, camouflage, weapons, and altered license plates. The brothers did not confess or express remorse.

In addition to their prison sentences, each brother was ordered to pay NIS 135,000 in compensation to the victim and his friend. Furthermore, NIS 40,000, previously posted as bail for a seized vehicle, was confiscated from Ahmed.

A third defendant in the case was convicted of actual bodily harm and obstruction of justice, receiving a sentence of three months minus one day, concurrent with her detention period, plus a suspended sentence, probation, and NIS 5,000 in compensation. She was acquitted of attempted murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery, and weapons possession charges.