Blood and Betrayal: Yemanu Zelka's Family Outraged as 16 Minors Indicted in Independence Day Slaying
The Central District Prosecutor's Office has indicted 16 minors in the fatal Independence Day stabbing of 21-year-old Yemanu Binyamin Zelka in Petah Tikva. While the primary suspect faces charges of murder by indifference, the victim's family is expressing outrage over the lack of premeditated murder charges.
The Central District Prosecutor's Office filed indictments Sunday morning against 16 minors involved in the killing of 21-year-old Yemanu Binyamin Zelka. The fatal incident occurred at a pizzeria in Petach Tikva on Israel’s Independence Day.
The primary suspect, a 15-year-old minor, has been charged with murder by indifference. Prosecutors allege he was captured on video stabbing Zelka severing a major artery and causing fatal blood loss.
Charges and Legal Disputes
The remaining 15 minors face charges of aggravated assault with intent. Additionally, three of the defendants are charged with obstructing justice, following allegations that they destroyed evidence and changed clothes immediately after the attack to evade identification.
The indictments reveal a significant disagreement between the Israel Police and the State Prosecutor’s Office:
Family Response
Zalaka’s family expressed deep anger at the courthouse, accusing the prosecution of leniency.
"The Prosecutor's Office chose the side of the criminals this morning," the family stated. "Instead of filing indictments with unprecedented penalties to prevent the next murder, they chose to let the killers off easy."
Yimenu's sister, Yerus, questioned the heavy police presence at the court: "Who are they protecting? None of them were there to protect our brother. Anyone who participated in that ambush is a murderer."
Evidence of Cover-up
According to the investigation by the Sharon District's specialized unit (YALAP), some suspects arrived at the scene wearing layers of clothing, which they discarded after the stabbing to mask their identities.
Police also retrieved messages from internal social media groups where suspects allegedly instructed one another to flee and dispose of their clothes.
Zelka was described by his family as a law-abiding citizen and an IDF veteran who worked hard to support himself and avoided conflict.
The family continues to call for the maximum possible sentencing to ensure justice is served.