'Terror attack inspired by Al-Jazeera'

State files attempted murder charges against Palestinian youth who stabbed IDF soldier on Jerusalem's Light Rail; says he was inspired by radical Arab media

Aviad Glickman|Published: 03.29.12 , 13:11

The Jerusalem District Prosecution indicted 18-year-old Mohammed Shuman, from Beit Hanina, for the attempted murder of an Israeli soldier in Jerusalem in early March.

Shuman stabbed 19-year-old Yehudit Aharon in her chest and hand on Jerusalem's Light Rail.

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Shuman fled the scene and was later arrested at the Qalandiya checkpoint. He admitted to the stabbing.

According to the indictment, Shuman left his home that day en route to school, where he was supposed to take a religious class test, carrying a pocket knife.

The State alleged that upon arriving in school, Shuman decided to skip the test, left school ground and boarded the light rail, where he spotted Aharon.

According to the prosecution, Shuman – an avid viewer of Al-Jazeera, Al-Quds and Al-Manar TV stations – was frustrated by what he perceived as the unfair treatment of Palestinians in IDF checkpoints, and especially in Qalandiya, decided to kill the soldier.

As the rail was pulling into a station, Shuman got up, pulled the knife from his pocket and stabbed her.

After fleeing the scene, he decided the go the Ramallah. He boarded a bus going to the West Bank city and disposed of the knife on the way.

The State also charged Shuman with carrying a concealed weapon and obstruction of justice; and asked the court to remand him for the duration of the legal proceedings.