The court is expected to approve a plea deal this morning (Wednesday) with Lafi Shelby, the Palestinian accused of aiding the terrorist who carried out the attack at the Tapuach junction in which Yehuda Guetta was killed and two boys were injured. As part of the plea agreement reached with the military prosecutor’s office, he will be sentenced to only ten months in prison, and in addition he will have to pay a fine and monetary compensation to the victims of the crime.
Shelby, a cousin of the terrorist Shelby, is accused of helping him hide from security forces after carrying out the deadly attack. According to the indictment, Laffi Shelby contacted another person and arranged for the perpetrator to arrive at a hiding place they owned.
Elisha Guetta, Yehuda’s father, said he was updated in advance on the arrangement, but was outraged at its very existence: “The aides deserve the maximum punishment in the law. No wonder the terrorist actually turned to his cousin, he knows he is a known terrorist operative in Lupine Aya,” the father said. “To come and release him now with such a minimal punishment, is to give a terrorist reward – instead of the military tribunal giving the right weight and choosing an appropriate punishment.”
“This is not how terror is deterred,” said Advocate Haim Bleicher of the Honno organization, which represents the family. We will reach a hearing tomorrow to oppose the delusional plea agreement with the terrorist. “
The IDF responded: “An indictment has been filed against Laffi Shelby for providing asylum. The arrangement takes into account the defendant’s role in the acts, his old age and his clean past and his willingness to admit guilt despite certain evidentiary difficulties. As part of the plea agreement and as a condition of it, the defendant deposited NIS 19,000 in compensation in favor of the victims of the crime. The terrorist from Netzer Shelby was convicted but has not yet been sentenced. The families of the victims are accompanied by the military prosecution and are updated on the proceedings. “The IDF considers any assistance given to terrorists after the incident to be serious, and is working to bring those involved to justice.”