Killer of Muhammad Abu Khdeir Dies in Prison

Yosef Chaim Ben David, a central figure convicted in the 2014 murder of Palestinian teenager Muhammad Abu Khdeir, died Thursday in prison. Ben David was found guilty by the Jerusalem District Court of murder, kidnapping for the purpose of murder, and assault causing injury, with the court determining the crime was nationalistically motivated.

Following a lengthy legal process that examined his mental state, Ben David was deemed fit to stand trial. The court stated that he fully understood his actions, controlled them, and had the capacity to refrain from committing the crimes. The Supreme Court upheld the convictions in February 2018, rejecting appeals from Ben David and his two minor nephews, who were also involved.

The Supreme Court's ruling detailed the events of that night, noting that the three perpetrators met and agreed on a revenge attack following the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers. They disguised themselves and drove to the Beit Hanina neighborhood in East Jerusalem. After identifying Abu Khdeir as Arab, they assaulted him, forced him into their car, and drove to the Jerusalem Forest.

During the drive, the nephews choked Abu Khdeir until he lost consciousness. Upon arrival, Ben David struck him with a pipe. Ben David and one of the minors then poured gasoline on the body, and Ben David set it alight before they fled the scene. The Supreme Court rejected Ben David's claim that his mental state contributed to his involvement, affirming he was in full control and his psychological issues did not negate his sanity or warrant a lesser charge than murder.

The Supreme Court's 2018 decision also called for introspection within Israeli society regarding racism and its consequences, stating, "The murder requires a profound soul-searching in Israeli society regarding the handling of racism and its consequences, a thorough examination from the foundation up."