Mother of Worker Killed in Tel Aviv Construction Accident Appeals Closure of Investigation

The mother of Jazzy Abu Sbeitan, who died at age 22 in a scaffold collapse at the Park Bavli construction site in Tel Aviv on February 9, 2022, has filed an appeal to the Attorney General against the Tel Aviv District Prosecutor's decision to close the criminal case without indictments. The accident involved a scaffold falling from over 40 floors, killing Abu Sbeitan and another worker instantly. The appeal challenges not only the closure but also the manner in which the family was informed, noting that the closure notice was sent on March 17, 2026, addressed to the deceased himself, and that the family only learned of the decision over a month later through a phone call initiated by the prosecution.

The mother claims that the police never sent a formal written notice to the family as promised, and that their rights were not properly preserved during the process. The prosecution acknowledged some communication issues but stated that personal phone calls were made to family members in Arabic to explain the decision and their rights, and extended the deadline for filing an appeal until August 30, 2026. The appeal, submitted by attorney Mutlak Badran on behalf of the mother, demands the case be reopened and suspects be prosecuted for negligent homicide and safety violations, citing evidence including confessions.

Civil compensation has been settled with the victims' heirs, but no clear accountability has been established for the deaths. The mother’s legal representative emphasized the need for a thorough investigation and legal resolution, warning against allowing shared responsibility at the site to result in no accountability. The prosecution confirmed it will review the appeal in due course.