Jerusalem Court Sentences Palestinian Terrorist to 22.5 Years for Attempted Murder of Elderly Employer

The Jerusalem District Court sentenced Nabil Shaabani, 62, to 22 and a half years in prison for a nationalist-motivated attempted murder and theft against a 74-year-old woman in Jerusalem. Shaabani, who had worked for years as a cleaner and handyman in the victim's home, admitted to strangling her twice and stabbing her in the neck and chest, as well as stealing jewelry and cash from her.

According to the amended indictment, Shaabani was distressed by his financial situation and family estrangement. After watching news about the situation in Gaza during Operation Iron Swords, he decided to die in a stabbing attack targeting Jews near the Jerusalem light rail station, a location with many soldiers and police. Instead, he went to the elderly woman's home to complete a repair he had started and chose to carry out his attack by killing her, even if it did not lead to his death.

Shaabani strangled the woman for several minutes, left believing she was dead, and stole valuables. When he returned to retrieve his walking stick, he found her still alive and strangled and stabbed her again to cause her death. The woman was seriously injured but survived. The prosecution sought 22 to 26 years imprisonment and maximum compensation for the victim, emphasizing the betrayal of trust, cruelty, repeated attempts to kill, nationalist motive, and severe physical and psychological harm caused.

Judges Eli Abarbanel, Michal Sharvit, and Penina Neuberth highlighted that Shaabani's actions harmed not only the victim but also the fragile coexistence between Arabs and Jews in Jerusalem. They noted the severity of the crime, including the attempt to kill a Jew at his workplace and the personal betrayal involved. The court stressed the need for harsh deterrent sentencing due to the rise in similar nationalist-motivated attacks in recent years, including the October 2023 stabbing incidents.

Although Shaabani cooperated with investigators and admitted guilt immediately after arrest, he showed no remorse during sentencing. The court imposed 22.5 years imprisonment from the date of arrest, six months suspended sentence, and ordered him to pay 150,000 shekels in compensation to the victim.