Israeli terror accomplices convicted
Three men who drove Netanya suicide bomber to scene of crime found guilty on 5 manslaughter counts; father of one victim says they should have been indicted for murder
The Tel Aviv district court convicted on Thursday three Israeli men who served as accomplices to the suicide-bombing of a mall in Netanya in July 2005. Kfir Levy (27) of Ramat Gan, Sif Azam (35) of Taibeh, and Abed Abu-Moch (26) of Bekka el-Garbia were each convicted of five counts of manslaughter and 30 counts of causing severe injury.
The bombing, which was planned and executed by the Tulkarm branch of the Islamic Jihad, left five people dead and 30 severely wounded.
Each of the three men drove the perpetrator at some point of his journey from the West Bank to Netanya, in return for NIS 1,000 (less than $250).
Judge Oded Mudrik ruled that the three men overlooked their suspicions regarding the suicide bomber and a man traveling with him, who led them to the location of the suicide bombing.
He also said that the men were negligent in examining the bomber's cover story. Apparently, the perpetrator showed the men the content of one of his bags, filled with clothes, and merely told them that the other bag (containing the bomb) was filled with car-jacking tools.
Netanya bombing, 2005 (Photo: Yaron Brenner)
Following the ruling, the families of Azam and Abu-Moch began shouting and rioting in the courtroom, accusing the judge of racism.
Prosecutor Orli Ben-Ari said that the District Prosecutor's Office was pleased with the ruling, which reflects the severity of the fact that the three men were suspicious of the suicide bomber, yet continued to drive him to his destination, with horrible consequences.
"The decision establishes norms for dealing with such situations. There needs to be excess care, not a policy of deliberate blindness," she said
Ben-Ari said that the prosecutor's office intended to recommend the men be given consecutive sentences, given the nature of the charges.
Yaron Horowitz, father of the 16-year-old Nofar who was killed in the bombing, along with her friend, said "they got what they deserved, but they should have been indicted for murder, not manslaughter."
"The leader, who received $10,000 for driving with the suicide bomber to his location, was sentenced a few weeks ago by a military court to five life sentences, plus 20 years.
"The defendants in this case were partners to the murder, they deserve a life sentence, especially Levy, who succeeded in getting the perpetrators into Israel because he is Jewish," Horowitz said.
Levy's brother, Rami, was also present in court. He is facing separate criminal charges for transporting illegal residents into Israel.
The court stated Thursday that Kfir Levy had been warned by his brother against transporting suicide bombers into Israel, and Abu-Moch had been warned of the same by a Shin Bet operative.
