Car Thief Who Exploited Post-Oct 7 Aid Efforts Gets Sentence Increased

A towing company owner from Rishon LeZion, Guy Haddad, has had his prison sentence increased from 5.5 to 7.5 years for stealing five vehicles from Kibbutz Be'eri in the days following the October 7th Hamas attack. Haddad had initially joined volunteer efforts to assist security forces and residents of the Gaza border region, using his towing company's equipment.

Exploiting the access granted to him as a volunteer, Haddad, along with an employee named Israel Amram and other volunteers, posed as part of a towing operation to steal vehicles from Be'eri. On October 18, 2023, Haddad instructed Amram to go to Be'eri, identify stealable vehicles, and tow three cars to the company's lot in Rishon LeZion. The following day, Haddad and others returned and stole two more vehicles, including a Mitsubishi Pajero belonging to resident Hagai Bikel.

Haddad falsely told Bikel that his Pajero was being towed for inspection due to suspected booby-trapping. Two of the stolen vehicles were later transferred to the Palestinian Authority. Haddad was convicted of conspiracy and five counts of vehicle theft.

The District Court in Beersheba upheld Haddad's conviction, relying on video calls between him and Amram, testimonies from volunteers and security personnel, and other evidence. The court also accepted the state's appeal against the leniency of the initial sentence.

Judges emphasized the severity of the crime, noting that it occurred shortly after October 7th when civilian activity relied heavily on volunteerism and trust. They stated Haddad exploited his access and the volunteers' belief that they were aiding a legitimate cause. His sentence was consequently increased, to be served from his arrest date.