The Haifa District Court on Monday 22 Menachem AV 5773 acquitted seven Israeli Arabs of attempted murder in the lynching of AWOL IDF soldier Eden Natan Zada. The court convicted four of the defendants of the lesser charge of attempted homicide and two more of aggravated assault.

On August 4, 2005, Natan Zada opened fire at innocent people traveling on the 165 bus in a predominantly Israeli Arab area, killing the driver and three passengers with his IDF-issued weapon. Zada, an IDF deserter was grabbed by the angry Arab mob and beaten to death as police looked on, afraid to intervene.

The police investigation in the weeks and months following the murder and beating death of the Zada led to the arrest of 12 Shfaram residents. Indictments followed. There were photos showing that Zada had been disarmed and was alive until he was attacked by the mob.

Seven of the defendants faced charges of attempted murder and lesser charges of attacking police. Five agreed to a plea bargain, admitting to interfering with police and rioting. They received community service.

All of the defendants were convicted on charges of aggravated assault against police along with damaging property and obstruction of justice.

The three justices presiding over the case stated in their ruling that their hearts go out to the innocent victims whose lives were snuffed out by Zada.

Members of the soldier’s family told the media they expected to see a conviction on the harsher charges.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)