Key Killer of Palestinian Teen Mohammed Abu Khdeir Dies in Prison

Yosef Haim Ben-David, one of the main convicts in the 2014 murder of Palestinian teenager Mohammed Abu Khdeir, died in prison on Thursday at the age of 42. His death comes nearly a decade after his conviction for the racially motivated killing, which shocked Israeli society.

Ben-David was convicted of murder, kidnapping with intent to murder, and assault causing injury. The court determined the crime was committed for nationalistic reasons. His conviction followed extensive psychiatric evaluations to determine his fitness for trial, with the court ultimately finding him mentally competent.

In February 2018, the Israeli Supreme Court rejected the appeal filed by the convicts. The court stated that the murder "requires deep self-reflection within Israeli society regarding the handling of racism phenomena and their consequences, and a comprehensive reform from the ground up."

According to the Supreme Court's ruling, Ben-David and two underage relatives planned the revenge killing following the abduction and murder of three Israeli teenagers. They prepared for the crime, disguised their religious appearance, and drove to the Beit Hanina neighborhood in Jerusalem. Spotting Abu Khdeir, the minors confirmed he was Arab, assaulted him, forced him into their car, and drove him to a forest area. En route, the minors strangled Abu Khdeir until he lost consciousness. Upon arrival, Ben-David struck Abu Khdeir on the head with a metal rod. Ben-David and one minor then doused the victim with fuel and set him on fire, leaving him to die from his burns.

During the appeal, Ben-David claimed his psychological state affected his involvement, but the Supreme Court dismissed this, ruling he was in full control and not suffering from delusions or a loss of mental capacity. Consequently, the court found no basis for reducing his sentence or changing his murder conviction to a lesser charge.