Itongadol.- Arab terrorist Mohammed Salaimeh, of east Jerusalem, was convicted on Sunday at Jerusalem Magistrate’s District Court of five counts of attempted murder for ramming his car into four female Border Police officers and a male civilian in the capital last March.
As part of a plea bargain, the court sentenced Salaimeh, 22, to 25 years in prison, and to pay NIS 260,000 for the damages incurred by the attack. It remains unclear how, or to whom, the money will be allocated.
On March 6, Salaimeh drove his vehicle into the group – lightly-to-moderately wounding all five – before being shot twice upon exiting the car wielding a large meat cleaver in an attempt to attack more victims.
The morning Purim attack took place outside the capital’s Border Police headquarters.
After being treated at an area hospital, Salaimeh, who resides in the Arab neighborhood of Ras el-Amud, confessed that the attack was premeditated, and intended to kill as many Jews as possible.
Following the attack, Hamas’s spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri posted a statement on his Facebook page lauding the terrorist, but did not claim responsibility.
“The Hamas movement blesses this historic act and considers it a natural response to the occupation’s crimes,” wrote Zuhri.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement condemning the attack and commending the rapid security response.
“We are determined to keep on fighting against terrorism and to use all the force necessary for this purpose,” he said.