Jerusalem stabbing convict freed: Shocking release of teen terrorist sparks outrage

Terrorist Involved in 2015 Pisgat Ze’ev Stabbing Released After Nearly a Decade in Prison

Ahmad Manasra, the Palestinian who participated in a high-profile terrorist stabbing attack in Jerusalem’s Pisgat Ze’ev neighborhood in 2015, was released from prison on Tuesday after serving nine and a half years. Manasra was just 13 years old at the time of the attack, a factor that sparked widespread international attention and controversy surrounding his arrest, trial, and incarceration.

The attack occurred when Manasra and his 15-year-old cousin, residents of eastern Jerusalem, armed themselves with knives and carried out a stabbing spree that left two Israeli civilians wounded. One of the victims, 12-year-old Naor Ben-Ezra, was critically injured after being stabbed multiple times while riding his bicycle. The other victim, 20-year-old Yosef Twito, was also attacked while walking in the neighborhood wearing traditional Haredi clothing.

According to the indictment, the cousins had discussed political tensions surrounding the al-Aqsa Mosque, the situation in Gaza, and broader Palestinian grievances before deciding to carry out the attack. They returned home, retrieved knives, and deliberately made their way to Pisgat Ze’ev with the intent of harming Jewish civilians.

After the initial attack, the pair attempted to flee. Ahmad Manasra was struck by a passing vehicle and seriously wounded. His cousin, brandishing a knife and charging at police officers, was shot and killed on the scene. Manasra was taken to the hospital for treatment and later tried in court for his role in the attack.

During legal proceedings, Manasra's defense argued that he did not directly stab anyone but was present to intimidate and “scare Jews.” However, the court found him complicit in a deliberate and premeditated terrorist act. He was convicted and sentenced, ultimately serving nearly a decade behind bars.

Now 22 years old, Manasra’s release comes as the subject of renewed debate within Israeli society, where many view him as an unrepentant terrorist. The case has also drawn international attention over the years from human rights advocates and NGOs who have expressed concern over the incarceration of minors involved in conflict-related offenses. Nonetheless, for many in Israel, his release underscores the enduring pain felt by the victims and their families and reignites concerns about future acts of violence.