Client Charged with Murdering His Lawyer Over Disputed Court Ruling in Central Israel

Ahmad Al-Rajoub, the suspect in the murder of attorney Arbel Feldman, appeared in the Magistrate's Court in Rishon Lezion, where the court extended his detention by four days. The prosecution announced its intention to file a premeditated murder charge against Al-Rajoub, citing sufficient evidence from the investigation conducted by the Central District Police. During the hearing, Feldman's lawyer colleagues shouted at Al-Rajoub, calling him a murderer and demanding he remove his hood, accusing him of hiding after being caught on security cameras.

The murder occurred on August 4 in Feldman's office in Rishon Lezion, where Feldman was shot four times at close range. Police said Al-Rajoub came prepared with an illegal firearm, fired multiple shots at Feldman, then fled south, destroying his phone and the weapon, which remains missing. Feldman’s father and other family members attended the hearing, expressing grief and outrage. Yigal Frey, chairman of the Bar Association's Court Committee and a close friend of Feldman, stated that the motive was Al-Rajoub's anger over a court ruling ordering him to pay 15,000 shekels, dismissing claims that the murder was financially motivated.

Al-Rajoub surrendered himself to police at the Lakhish District Police and initially confessed before invoking his right to silence. His defense attorney, Oren Sasson, argued that the investigation is ongoing and questioned whether there is conclusive proof Al-Rajoub was armed during the incident. The police presented video evidence showing Al-Rajoub entering the building with a gun. Previously, the court ordered a psychiatric evaluation of Al-Rajoub following concerns raised by his lawyers about his mental state. Feldman’s father criticized attempts to portray the suspect as mentally unstable, emphasizing the deliberate nature of the killing.

The police continue searching for the missing firearm, suspecting it may have been used in other shootings. The case highlights tensions surrounding legal disputes and violent retaliation in Israel’s legal community.