Jerusalem Court Convicts Man for Attempted Murder of IDF Soldier with Knife

The Jerusalem District Court unanimously convicted Adnan Qari on Tuesday of attempted murder and illegal possession of a knife after he tried to stab an Israeli soldier on Sayeret Dukifat Street in Jerusalem. The incident occurred in December 2024 when Qari, motivated by nationalist and ideological reasons, armed himself with a 13-centimeter blade and sought a victim. Around 12:40 PM, he spotted a soldier standing by the roadside, exited his vehicle with the knife, and advanced while shouting "Allahu Akbar," "I will stab you," and "You will die today."

The soldier aimed his weapon at Qari and ordered him to stop and lie down. Qari initially retreated toward his car but then turned back and resumed approaching with the knife. The soldier fired warning shots into the air, but when Qari continued advancing, he shot several bullets at him, causing Qari to fall. Qari claimed in court that he intended to commit suicide to frighten the soldier or police into shooting him, but the court rejected this defense, relying on the soldier's credible testimony, two eyewitnesses, video footage, and Qari's own second interrogation admission.

Judge Michal Sharvit ruled that it was proven beyond reasonable doubt that Qari acted with premeditated intent to kill the soldier. The court noted that even if Qari intended suicide, it did not negate his intent to kill the soldier and die during the confrontation. The judges emphasized that Qari's actions went beyond preparation to an actual attempt at murder, stating that without the soldier's quick response, the attempt would have succeeded. Judges Eli Abarbanel and Penina Neuberger concurred, delivering a unanimous conviction. Qari's sentencing will be determined later.