Israeli Soldier Suspected of Ordering Ex-Boyfriend's Murder in Jerusalem Airbnb
Agam Tzarfati, a 19-year-old Israeli soldier, is suspected of ordering the murder of her ex-boyfriend, Benyahu Razi, also 19, in Jerusalem. The couple had a toxic relationship marked by mutual complaints, including a police report filed by Razi in September 2023 alleging harassment and death threats from Tzarfati. Razi was killed in an Airbnb apartment in the Nahalat neighborhood of Jerusalem last Saturday during a violent altercation involving knives, clubs, and a meat tenderizer hammer. Police arrested seven suspects connected to the murder, including several teenagers and the mother of one suspect, who allegedly facilitated communication between detainees and helped some escape after the crime. Authorities also revealed the murder was streamed live to two young women.
Tzarfati's sister, a police officer, was investigated by the Police Investigations Department on suspicion of obstructing the murder investigation by meeting with two other detainees shortly after Razi was fatally beaten. She was released under restrictive conditions. The investigation uncovered that Razi was attacked with a "meat tenderizer hammer" and that the assailants were armed with knives and clubs. One suspect claimed Razi drew a knife first.
Razi's mother, Dikla, criticized the police for failing to prevent the murder despite warnings and evidence she provided months earlier. She described the killing as brutal and inhumane, highlighting the use of weapons and the live broadcast of the attack. Dikla said her son had tried to avoid contact with Tzarfati by changing his phone number and limiting who knew his new address. She also recounted that Razi did not consider Tzarfati a true girlfriend but someone who wanted to date him, and that she had repeatedly warned Tzarfati to move on. Dikla expressed heartbreak over the loss and frustration at the obsessive behavior that led to her son's death.
The police continue to investigate the case, which has drawn public attention due to the violent nature of the crime and the involvement of multiple suspects, including minors and family members. The case raises concerns about domestic violence, police response, and criminal networks in Jerusalem.
