Murder

Israeli authorities indict 16 teens over Independence Day murder of pizzeria worker

The suspects were also charged with additional offenses, including obstruction of justice and witness tampering.

|BySARAH BEN-NUN
YEMANU BINYAMIN Zalka, 21, was stabbed in Petah Tikva on Independence Day and later succumbed to his wounds.
Protesters gather outside a court in Petah Tikva, holding signs and calling for justice following the killing of Yemanu Binyamin Zalka, a Pizza Hut employee who was stabbed and later died of his wounds on the eve of Independence Day, May 5, 2026.

Family criticizes prosecution for indictment of Zalka murder suspect, calls for public rally

“They chose to stick to the dry law. At this rate, the next murder is just around the corner,” said the family of the prosecution's decision to indict the suspect with murder with indifference.

|ByARIELLA ROITMAN, HODAYA RAN
People gather outside a Pizza Hut branch in Petah Tikva, lighting candles and placing flowers in memory of employee Yemanu Binyamin Zalka, who was stabbed and later died of his wounds on the eve of Independence Day, April 25, 2026.

Police transfer Zalka murder case to district attorney, family pushes for 'harshest punishment'

Three of the teenagers have already been released to house arrest, while prosecutors are expected to request that 10 others remain in custody until the end of legal proceedings.

|ByHODAYA RAN
Elena Colomba draws a Star of David at a Thousand Oaks, California, street corner where a Jewish pro-Israel protester, Paul Kessler, was killed during an altercation, Nov. 7, 2023.

Jewish leaders lament ‘woefully inadequate’ sentence of California man who killed Jewish activist

Loay Abdel Fattah Alnaji pled guilty, after originally pleading not guilty to causing the death of Paul Kessler during a November 2023 altercation.

|ByGRACE GILSON/JTA

Egyptian man who fire-bombed pro-Israel rally in Colorado sentenced to life in prison

The fire-bombing suspect, Mohamed Soliman, 46, an Egyptian national, entered his plea to dozens of felony counts, including first-degree murder under two definitions of the offense.

MAY 7, 2026ByREUTERS
BOULDER ATTACK suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman poses for a jail booking photograph after his arrest in Boulder, Colorado, US June 2, 2025.

What happens when Israelis turn on each other? - opinion

How have we become a society that teaches youth that acting violently against someone you disagree with is okay?

MAY 7, 2026BySTEVEN BURG
People gather outside a Pizza Hut branch in Petah Tikva, lighting candles and placing flowers in memory of employee Yemanu Binyamin Zalka, who was stabbed and later died of his wounds on the eve of Independence Day, April 25, 2026.

Double murder brings total of Israeli Arabs killed since beginning of year to over 100

President Isaac Herzog described the high murder rate within the Arab community as an "ugly stain" on Israeli society, demanding that the government act to reduce the violent crime rate.

MAY 6, 2026ByTZVI JASPER
Magen David Adom ambulances

Police complete investigation into Petah Tikva stabbing, 19 minors arrested

The investigation concluded after a two-week manhunt, during which police apprehended all individuals believed to have been involved in the violent altercation.

MAY 5, 2026ByALON HACHMON
People gather outside a Pizza Hut branch in Petah Tikva, lighting candles and placing flowers in memory of employee Yemanu Binyamin Zalka, who was stabbed and later died of his wounds on the eve of Independence Day, April 25, 2026.

Beyond the headlines: Not who we are - opinion

A weekly glimpse into the Israel you won’t read about in the news.

MAY 4, 2026BySIVAN RAHAV MEIR
People gather outside a Pizza Hut branch in Petah Tikva, lighting candles and placing flowers in memory of employee Yemanu Binyamin Zalka, who was stabbed and later died of his wounds on the eve of Independence Day, April 25, 2026.

IDF captures Palestinian man who murdered son, burned his body, infiltrated Israel

The man had taken his 12-year-old son to the Palestinian village of Beit Ur, near Ramallah, and stabbed him near an agricultural area of the town.

MAY 4, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
IDF troops near the West Bank city of Ramallah, on February 27, 2026.

Tame the phenomenon: The frightening increase in youth crime needs to be handled - editorial

Study after study has warned that prolonged instability, trauma, isolation, and disrupted schooling harm children’s mental health, weaken belonging, and can surface in violence.

MAY 1, 2026ByJPOST EDITORIAL
Yemanu Binyamin Zalka, 21, was stabbed in Petah Tikva on Independence Day and later succumbed to his wounds.

What we get when we’ve nothing left to give - opinion

Nearly 40% of Israeli civilians fall within the clinical range for probable PTSD.

APRIL 29, 2026ByJUDAH KOLLER
YEMANU BINYAMIN Zalka, 21, was stabbed in Petah Tikva on Independence Day and later succumbed to his wounds.

'Struggling to process': One person tried to defend Yemanu Zalka during Independence Day eve attack

The Petah Tikva Magistrate's Court extended by five days the detention of the main suspect in Zalka's murder, as well as that of three other teenage suspects.

APRIL 27, 2026ByALON HACHMON
People gather outside a Pizza Hut branch in Petah Tikva, lighting candles and placing flowers in memory of employee Yemanu Binyamin Zalka, who was stabbed and later died of his wounds on the eve of Independence Day, April 25, 2026.

IDF probe: Infiltrating Hamas terrorists devastated Kibbutz Holit on October 7

The IDF’s investigation into the Hamas attack on Kibbutz Holit reveals devastating losses, including 13 civilians killed and 9 hostages taken.

APRIL 27, 2026ByJAMES GENN
The aftermath of Hamas's terror attack on a residence in Kibbutz Holit during the October 7 massacre, pictured October 26, 2023.