3 Palestinian minors behind murder of Yanai Weissman sentenced to 30 years

The IDF Prosecution will likely appeal the sentences as too lenient after it requested life in prison for all three defendants.

By YONAH JEREMY BOB
Yanai Weissman HY”D, his wife Yael and their daughter (photo credit: Courtesy)
Yanai Weissman HY”D, his wife Yael and their daughter
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Three Palestinian minors involved in the February 2016 stabbing spree at a Rami Levy supermarket, in which Sgt. Tuvia Yanai Weissman was killed and another victim was wounded, were sentenced to over 30 years in prison on Wednesday.
The IDF prosecution will likely appeal the sentences as too lenient after it requested life in prison for all three defendants, who’s names are still under gag order as they were minors when they perpetrated the crimes.
The Judea Military Court, which handed down two 35-year jail sentences and one 32-year sentence, emphasized their minor status as the primary basis for denying the request for life in prison, typical for murder convicts over the age of 18.
The court also issued a NIS 2.5 million fine to the two leading murderers who were convicted first. The third minor was convicted in January as an accomplice-murder, which was significant as it came despite the fact that he didn’t take part in the murder after he was prevented from entering the store by staff.
The attack occurred at the Sha’ar Binyamin Rami Levy supermarket in the eastern Binyamin region industrial area. Two of the three minors followed through on a conspiracy to murder Weissman, and also wounded a second man.
Weissman, 21, served in the IDF’s Nahal Brigade and was the father of a baby girl. He lived in Ma’aleh Michmash and was off-duty at the time of the attack.
The supermarket is frequented by both Israeli and Palestinian customers. Both Jews and Muslims work at the branch.