Violence, and more violence |
1) As the details of the killing of Yemanu Binyamin Zelka in Petah Tikva become clearer, we are more and more shocked and horrified, not just by the act, itself, but by the decisions of the courts. Zelka’s family say the killing was not only intentional, but bears the hallmarks of organized crime. They are, by all accounts, not wrong.
The teens involved in the killing were seen to be planning it and waiting for Zelka to finish his shift and walk out of the pizza parlor where he worked. At least one of them brought a knife and stabbed Zelka repeatedly. At least one parent hid their son for several days. When arrested, they refused to talk, suggesting they had either agreed on this tactic beforehand, or that they knew, from television or their families, about the code of honor among criminals.
Sixteen teens have been indicted. One will be charged with negligent murder – not manslaughter – and the others for participating, obstructing justice, etc. The parents who abetted the murders will not be charged. The reason for the lesser charges: Lack of evidence. This is despite the fact that the entire murder was recorded on camera, that there was a witness who told the police, verbatim, what was said and done, that one of the teens started to talk.
What more evidence did they need?
2) On May 11, a man open fire inside a home in Ramle, killing the mother of his four children and wounding his sister before continuing out to the street and shooting at women in passing cars. The incident was described, variously, as femicide, domestic violence and the work of a mentally ill man. About the victim, 28-year-old Ranin Al-Abid, we are told nothing, other than the number of children she bore and cared for, although we are told the children, including a young infant, were sleeping in their beds when the shooting occurred.
Ranin’s horrific story will........