IDF Major Eliav Gellman HY”D was killed by errant gunfire during a stabbing attack at Gush Etzion Junction in 2016. The 30-year-old resident of the community of Karmei Tzur was killed while serving in reserve duty, leaving behind a pregnant wife and two children.

The military court in October 2018 acquitted him of murder, finding him guilty of manslaughter. The court explained the acquittal in that it is impossible to determine that the terrorist actually arrived at Gush Etzion Junction in order to murder, and therefore it is not possible to establish the mental element necessary to convict on the offense of intentionally causing death – the crime of murder, under military law, as reported by YWN-Israel.

The terrorist was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment and a NIS 258,000 fine, to be paid to his widow. Honenu attorney Chaim Bleicher, who represented the family of the victim commented, “The court ruled 30 years in prison, which is certainly an exceptional punishment in case of manslaughter, but this punishment reflects the essence of the case.

“We are hoping that in the appeals court the verdict will be amended and the terrorist will eventually be charged with murder, and then he will receive a life sentence and never get out of prison, as he deserves and as is customary. We think this is a call to where the terrorist should really be.”

The Gellman family itself boycotted the hearing, and with the help of Attorney Bleicher sent a letter to the Ofer military court stating that they did not intend to attend the sentencing hearing of the terrorist. According to the family, the punishment that the court is going to give the terrorist is liable to only encourage terrorism and not stop him.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)