JERUSALEM (JTA) — The family home of the Palestinian man accused of raping and murdering a teenage Israeli girl will be demolished.
Arafat Irfaiya, 29, is accused of the violent attack on Ori Ansbacher, 19, whose body was found Feb. 7 in the Jerusalem Forest outside of the Ein Yael Living Museum, where she was working with children for her year of national service.
Irfaiya, of Hebron, was arrested two days after the attack, and he re-enacted the attack and murder for authorities, according to reports. Forensic evidence found at the scene had tied Irfaiya to the murder.
His family can appeal the demolition decision, according to the Israel Defense Forces, which notified the family this week.
Israel razes the homes of Palestinians who attack and kill Jews as a deterrent to future attacks. The deterrent effect of demolitions has been shown to be small or insignificant and their continued use remains under debate.
