A Palestinian from the Gaza Strip received 16 life sentences Monday on 16 counts of murder — one for each of the people who died when he seized the steering Wheel of an Egged bus on July 6, forcing it to crash into a ravine outside Jerusalem.
The Jerusalem District Court meted out an additional 20-year prison term for the attempted murder of those who survived the carnage.
Jerusalem District Prosecutor Uzi Hasson told the judge, “Here is a man who was created in the image of God. Was he really?”
Ghanem, a resident of the Nuseirat refugee camp, also had words for the judge. “You, the Israelis, are responsible. I merely vindicated the wounding of my friend, Raduan, who was wounded in the intifada,” he said.
Ahuva Pahima, sister of one of the survivors, thought Ghanem deserved the death penalty. “I felt like killing him,” she told a reporter.
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