Arab Who Threw Cinder Block on Jew’s Head Convicted

An Arab who threw a cinder block on the head of a Jew in the Old City of Yerushalayim was convicted Monday on charges of aggravated terrorism. Sentencing will take place at a later date, but attorney Chaim Bleicher of the Honenu rights group, representing the victim, said that an extended jail sentence could be expected.

The incident occurred about 10 months ago, when the Jewish resident of the Old City was walking home. The Arab, Mahmad Razam, threw the cinder block on the victim’s head from a height of four meters, injuring him and causing a break in his skull. The victim required extensive medical care and therapy.

Bleicher said in a statement that “the terrorist tried to murder my client simply because he is Jewish. We appreciate that authorities arrested and tried him, but we regret that he was not convicted of attempted murder for nationalistic purposes, as he should have been. We will work to ensure that the maximum penalty is imposed on this terrorist.”

Meanwhile, officials announced Monday that they had in recent days arrested a terrorist who opened fire at IDF soldiers during the demolition of the Jenin home of Mohammed Konava, a member of the gang that murdered Rabbi Raziel Shevach, Hy”d, in February. Rabbi Shevach was murdered outside Chavat Gilad, in the Binyamin region. The detainee was one of a mob that attempted to prevent the demolition of the terrorist’s house in April. He opened fire on soldiers, injuring one lightly.