David’s Tomb Terrorist Was Released Early From Jail After Family Feud Killing: “He’s Rehabilitated’

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Shocking new details have emerged about the terrorist who opened fire Saturday night near the Western Wall and at David’s Tomb, wounding eight people, two of them seriously.

The terrorist, 26-year-old Amir Sidawi of A-Ram north of Jerusalem, had no security offences in the past but was jailed in 2015 after a family feud in which he allegedly stabbed another family member to death. After he was given an 8-year sentence, Sidawi underwent various rehabilitation procedures and the prison authorities parole committee decided to cut his sentence by a third for good behavior. Had he not been released, he would still have been in jail at this juncture.

The committee discussed his early parole two years ago. Despite vociferous opposition of police based on the intelligence assessments of the prison service, the rehabilitation officers stressed the efforts invested in restoring Sidawi to society.

The protocol of the committee stated that “the education officer was of the impression that the prisoner has abilities. He participated in psycho-educational groups on anger control and was active, demonstrated responsibility and interest in the activities and succeeded in identifying feelings which lead to wrong responses.” Sidawi had volunteered in a child care center for children with physical and cognitive disabilities and the committee felt that this had helped his rehabilitation process.

The terrorist had also participated in groups dealing with violent tendencies and “fulfilled his role in a positive manner, demonstrated responsibility and stability, and according to officials had reached achievements which had a positive influence on the group.”

Sidawi also participated in courses from Haifa University and Open University in economics and law, but his permit was revoked because he came back late from a furlough. “The prisoner admits his crimes, expresses true remorse and takes responsibility for his role in the incident,” the committee wrote. “The prisoner underwent a significant rehabilitative process in the prison and had exhausted the treatment offered within the prison. His continued stay in prison will not contribute to his rehabilitation process and may cause a regression in his behavior.” The committee even recommended integrating Sidawi in a program for youths who had been released from jail.

After performing the terror attack, Sidawi concealed himself in a truck travelling towards the Bayit V’gan neighborhood in West Jerusalem. Police believe that the reason he stopped shooting and ran away was due to a jam in his firearm.

Sidawi told police after turning himself in Sunday morning that he had “despaired of life”. His remand has been extended by nine days