Benjamin Yosef Chaim Friedrich Indicted for Murder of Rabbi Amos Guetta in Preplanned Attack

Benjamin Yosef Chaim Friedrich, 36, has been indicted for the aggravated murder of Rabbi Amos Guetta, 75, as well as for aggravated assault and illegal possession of a knife. The indictment was filed Thursday at the Central District Court following Friedrich's confession during an investigation by the Sharon District Police. He admitted to stabbing Rabbi Guetta multiple times and referred to him as a "false messiah."

According to the indictment, Friedrich planned the murder in advance. He took a 21-centimeter kitchen knife from the yeshiva kitchen, concealed it in his clothing, and arrived at Rabbi Guetta's home at 5:39 a.m., where the rabbi's assistant, Yaakov, was present. Friedrich asked to enter the rabbi's room to pray, and after initial refusal, Yaakov allowed him in. Friedrich then stabbed the rabbi four times, including during a struggle with Yaakov, who was injured trying to stop the attack. Friedrich fled the scene, leaving Rabbi Guetta critically wounded. The rabbi was taken to Laniado Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:25 a.m.

Friedrich was arrested after a three-hour manhunt at 8:29 a.m. During interrogations, he gave inconsistent statements, sometimes refusing to speak and other times confirming the stabbing. He claimed to have acted because "there is an angel Samael Iblis inside his liver." The prosecution presented multiple pieces of evidence, including Yaakov’s testimony, DNA on the knife, security footage, medical records, and forensic reports. The indictment notes that Rabbi Guetta was incapacitated and dependent on care, and that the murder was premeditated despite the rabbi having helped Friedrich and welcomed him to the yeshiva. The state also highlighted Friedrich’s criminal record and the risk of flight, as he holds a French passport.