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Sgt. Teharlev was murdered in the attack

Ofra Junction terrorist to be sentenced next week

Military tribunal that convicted terrorist of murder of soldier, attempted murder of soldier and civilians in April Ofra Junction attack will sentence him next week; Hamed also convicted of membership in Hamas; mother of slain soldier to court: 'Make sure coward who took my son away never sees light of day again.'

Ofer Prison's military tribunal convicted terrorist Malak Hamed several weeks ago of the murder of Sgt. Elchai Teharlev and the wounding of Sgt. Roi Sasson in an Ofra Junction vehicular attack seven and a half months ago and will sentence the terrorist next week. Prosecutors are seeking he be sentenced to two life sentences and to pay the families of Teharlev and Sasson restitution.

 

 

The attack took place in April, with Hamed ramming the soldiers with his vehicle while they were carrying out a mission defending local residents and securing the nearby road and bus stop.

 

Elchai Teharlev (center), murdered in the Ofra Junction terrorist attack, and his parents
Elchai Teharlev (center), murdered in the Ofra Junction terrorist attack, and his parents

 

The 23-year-old terrorist was convicted by the tribunal of murdering Teharlev and of three other counts of attempted murder, for the attempt on the life of Sasson and additional civilians. Hamed was also convicted of membership in Hamas, which is outlawed as a terrorist organization in Israel, and carrying out attacks on behalf of the organization.

 

In anticipation of Hamed's sentencing, Avital Teharlev, Elchai's mother, said, "In a conversation I had with him just before his death, he told me, 'Mom, you know how committed I am to the IDF. I may end up going on a mission I won't be returning from.' I was shocked by those words, but he said them with such calm, clarity and that characteristic smile. The world lost out on Elchai."

 

"He planned on going on a squad commanders' training course and would most likely have gone on to become an officer. He had leadership, dedication and persistence, and that murder took all of that away," she lamented.

 

During the trial, Avital appealed to the judges, "Decide in a manner making it clear evil has no place here and will not be allowed to exist. Make sure the craven murderer who took my son from me will never see the light of day again, and will spend the rest of his days in prison, to make the world a better place."

 

Terrorist Malak Hamed will be sentenced next week
Terrorist Malak Hamed will be sentenced next week

 

Elchai's father, Rabbi Ohad Teharlev, is the head of Midreshet Lindenbaum, a Jewish educational institution in Jerusalem. Before the terrorist's sentencing, he said, "Elchai wasn't the only one hurt in the attack, we all were. We had a son, but he was murdered and all we were left with is a story, and a hole in our souls. I'd like to ask this court that the murderer, who represents the evils of the world, to never see the light of day again."

 

"I'd like to see the chaos and evil represented by this man to be excised. I'd like the court's ruling to combat both the killer and those who sent him, and more than that, I'd like the verdict to hurt him and those who sent him in such a way that they will never send anyone to hurt Jews again. No pain will match the pain we feel, but a decision along those lines might give us some light," Elchai's father added.

 

The indictment, submitted in May, described how the terrorist planned the deadly attack and intended to take as many Israeli lives as he possibly could. The indictment also showed how Hamed drove around several times searching for suitable targets.

 

The aftermath of the attack (Photo: Reuters)
The aftermath of the attack (Photo: Reuters)
 

On the morning of the attack, April 6, he drove back and forth on the road, scanning bus stops for Jews to murder.

 

Finally, passing through Ofra Junction, Hamed noticed soldiers Teharlev and Sasson and additional civilians waiting at the stop, swerved towards them at high speed and directly hit the soldiers. Teharlev was killed on impact and Sasson was lightly wounded.

 


פרסום ראשון: 11.16.17, 20:50
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