Muhammad Abu Khdair's Killer Dies in Prison at 42

Yosef Haim Ben-David, the convicted murderer of Palestinian teenager Muhammad Abu Khdair, died Thursday at the age of 42. Ben-David, who was serving a life sentence plus 20 years at the Sharon prison, passed away in a hospital. The Israel Prison Service confirmed the death of an inmate but did not immediately release his name or the cause of death, citing privacy. An investigation into the circumstances of the death has been launched, as is standard procedure.

Ben-David began serving his sentence in May 2016. He was found guilty of the abduction and murder of 16-year-old Abu Khdair in July 2014, an act described as a hate crime. During his trial, Ben-David's defense argued he was not mentally sound at the time of the crime, but this claim was rejected by the Supreme Court. The court stated that Ben-David was in full control and that his psychological issues did not meet the threshold for diminished responsibility.

The Supreme Court also upheld the convictions and sentences of Ben-David's two minor nephews, who were convicted as accomplices. The court noted their remorse but emphasized the brutality of the crime and its ideological, racist motive. One nephew received a life sentence plus three years, while the other was sentenced to 21 years in prison. These sentences remain in effect.