Four Arab rioters have each been sentenced to five years in prison for their roles in the violent riots during Operation Guardian of the Walls, after participating in attacks targeting Jewish motorists on Highway 6.

According to the indictments, the four joined dozens of other rioters on the night of May 10–11, 2021, blocking Highway 6 near Lakiya with burning tires. The mob then hurled rocks at vehicles identified as carrying Jewish passengers while shouting “Jew, Jew.” In one incident, a Jewish woman narrowly escaped after her car was stoned before being set ablaze. In another, a Thai national was mistakenly attacked after being believed to be Jewish, while another driver was injured in a separate rock-throwing attack.

The Be’er Sheva District Court convicted Ziad Abu Aish, Yusef Badr, Zakariya Al-Sana, and Bakr Obeid under plea agreements of offenses including throwing stones at vehicles, intentionally causing damage with a racist motive, and rioting. Prosecutors argued the attacks severely harmed public safety, national resilience, and the rule of law.

In sentencing, Judge Alon Gavizon said nationalist riots require a harsh and deterrent response, comparing such violence to “a fire in a field of thorns” that can quickly spread beyond control. In addition to five-year prison terms, each defendant was ordered to pay a ₪10,000 fine, ₪7,000 in compensation to victims, and received suspended sentences.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)