Criminal9/3/2026

State Attorney’s Office Appeals Sentences Imposed for Brutal Robbery of 78-Year-Old Woman

The State Attorney’s Office sought harsher sentences for Jasan Rimawi and Mahmoud al-Masri, who were convicted of the planned robbery of a 78-year-old Ramat Gan resident. According to the prosecution, the prison terms imposed do not reflect the brutality of the offense, the convicts’ roles, or the severe consequences for the victim.

Key facts

•The case numbers are not specified in the source
•Court of first instance: Tel Aviv District Court
•Rimawi: 76 months’ imprisonment in total
•Al-Masri: 70 months’ imprisonment
•Compensation: 25,000 shekels from each man
•Rimawi appeal: Supreme Court, December 21, 2026

How the Robbery Took Place

On January 17, 2025, the participants in the premeditated robbery arrived at the woman’s home. Rimawi posed as a municipal employee and, under the pretext of checking the electricity, induced her to open the door. The woman was knocked to the floor, restrained, and threatened; her home was searched, and she was dragged down the stairs to the basement, where she was left bound.

The Convicts’ Roles and the Stolen Property

Rimawi was found to be the direct perpetrator who acted inside the home. Al-Masri remained in the car but maintained telephone contact with the participants, gave instructions on searching for the safe, and was described by the court as the organizer and manager of the offense. The stolen property consisted of 1,200 shekels, a credit card, an identity card, two antique flute-type musical instruments, and a wristwatch.

The District Court’s Sentences

Rimawi pleaded guilty as part of an agreement and was convicted of conspiracy to commit a felony, aggravated robbery, and unlawful entry into Israel. The Tel Aviv District Court sentenced him to 71 months in prison and, together with suspended prison terms, 76 months in total, as well as payment of 25,000 shekels in compensation to the victim. Al-Masri was sentenced to 70 months in prison, a nine-month suspended prison term, and payment of 25,000 shekels to the woman.

Why the State Attorney’s Office Is Seeking Harsher Prison Sentences

The prosecution believes that the sentencing range set at five to nine years’ imprisonment was erroneous: in Rimawi’s case, the State Attorney’s Office sought a range of seven to 10 years, and in al-Masri’s case, eight to 11 years. The state’s position is that a guilty plea, savings in judicial time, and personal circumstances may affect the choice of sentence within the established range but should not reduce the range itself, which is determined according to the manner in which the offense was committed. The State Attorney’s Office also points to Rimawi’s prior convictions, al-Masri’s leadership role, and the need for greater protection of elderly people.

The Consequences and Further Proceedings

The victim suffered physical injuries and was subsequently diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and an anxiety disorder. According to a report submitted to the court, she began leaving her home less frequently, lost her trust in strangers, and incurred expenses to strengthen the security of her home. The hearing of the appeal in Rimawi’s case was scheduled before the Supreme Court for December 21, 2026; the source does not state the final outcome of the appeals proceedings.

What this means for you

The appeal may clarify how severely Israeli courts are required to punish premeditated attacks against elderly people in their homes. The decision may also affect the treatment of organizers who manage an offense remotely and how a guilty plea is taken into account when determining the sentencing range. At this stage, the sentences have not been increased: the source reports only that the appeals were filed.

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Case analysis based on court rulings