Supreme Court Justice Urges Family to Withdraw Appeal in Fatal Shooting Case

Supreme Court Justice David Mintz has recommended that the family of Yuval Castelman, who was killed in November 2023, withdraw their petition against the State Prosecutor's Office. The petition challenged the decision to close the case against police officers involved in the shooting and subsequent investigation.

Justice Mintz acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating, "What we are saying is difficult, I don't usually say this. There is negligence and criminal negligence and serious unprofessional conduct here, but there is no gap that requires court intervention." He addressed Castelman's family directly, urging them to retract the appeal.

Yuval Castelman was killed during a shooting attack near Jerusalem in November 2023. He had bravely confronted and neutralized at least one of the attackers. After the incident concluded, Castelman dropped his weapon and knelt to avoid being mistaken for a combatant. Despite this, off-duty IDF soldier Aviad Frija shot and killed him, believing Castelman to be one of the terrorists.

Frija was subsequently charged with manslaughter with reduced culpability. The case has also drawn attention from MK Tali Gottlieb, who expressed strong disapproval of the handling of the situation.