Israel’s High Court of Justice on Monday (Sept. 5th) rejected an appeal on behalf of Hamas master terrorist Abbas el-Sid, who is serving 35 life sentences for masterminding the 2002 Park Hotel terror attack in which 30 people were murdered and over 160 injured. He was also convicted of planning the Sharon Mall attack in Netanya, in which 5 people were murdered.

Justice Neil Hendel rejected the appeal filed by attorney Avigdor Feldman, who maintained his confession was obtained illegally due to the physical torture used against his client.

El-Sid joined the military wing of Hamas in 2000 becoming the Tulkarem area commander. He was found guilty and enlisting the suicide bomber and getting the explosive device to him, permitting him to carry out the Park Hotel attack on Seder night. Regarding the shopping center attack, he was found guilty of selecting the venue and arranging for the person who escorted the bomber to that location.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)