Rabbi Aharon Banita-Bennett and Rabbi Nehemia Lavi
Terrorist's accomplice to serve 35 years as part of plea bargain
Abed al-Aziz Meri to plea guilty of buying knife and encouraging Muhannad Halabi to carry out attack in Jerusalem that claimed the lives of two Israelis; meanwhile, Hamis Salaymehm, who smuggled three terrorists into Israel, is facing involuntary manslaughter.
Abed al-Aziz Meri, who purchased the knife used by terrorist Muhannad Halabi to stab two Israelis to death in Jerusalem last October, has reached a deal with the State Attorney according to which he will plea guilty to aiding the murder and serve 35 years in prison.
Halabi murdered Rabbi Nehemia Lavi and Rabbi Aharon Banita-Bennett near the Lions Gate in the Old City and wounded Bennett's wife and child. He was shot dead at the scene of the stabbing by Border Police officers.
In the original indictment, Meri was charged with murder of the two men and with the attempted murder of Adele, Banita-Bennett's widow, who was seriously wounded in the attack.
The victims: Rabbi Aharon Banita-Bennett and Rabbi Nehemia Lavi.
According to the updated indictment, Meri, a 22-year-old Hamas operative and student at Al-Quds University in Abu Dis, encouraged Halabi to carry out the attack on the eve of Sukkot last year.
On the day of the attack, Meri and Halabi arrived at the al-Aqsa mosque to pray. On their way there, they encountered Israeli police officers who prevented them from entering the compound.
Halabi later told Meri that he wanted "to slap" the police officer, and the latter responded that he should not settle for that but rather do "something worthwhile."
Meri purchased a butcher knife for Halabi, took a photo with him, and told him he needs to die "a martyr's death" in the attack so he can become a "shahid."
Shortly after the two went on their separate ways near the Damascus Gate in the Old City, Halabi attacked the Banita-Bennett couple, who were walking down Hagai Street with their two young children on their way back from the Western Wall.
Rabbi Nehemia Lavi, who lived on that street, heard their cries for help and left his home to aid them. He too became a victim to Halabi's attack.
In addition to being charged with accessory to murder, Meri was also indicted for illegal entry into Israel and the possession of a knife.
The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court will also discuss on Monday the punishment for Hamis Salaymeh of Wadi Joz, who aided the three terrorists who carried out the attack in which Border Policewoman Hadar Cohen by transporting them illegally into Israel.
Indicting an illegal-immigrant smuggler for involuntary manslaughter is unusual, and this is one of the few cases that included this charge in the indictment in the recent wave of terror attacks. While most of the terrorists have so far been residents of Israel, the State Attorney's Office sought to convey a deterrent to illegal-immigrant smugglers that they carry some responsibility for the actions of those they bring into the country.
In Salaymeh's instance, he was driving three men who claimed they were going to work but were dressed up, which should have caused him to suspect their intentions and inquire where the three were heading. By failing to do so, he was negligent.
