Police in the Central District have completed their investigation into the killing of Yemanu Binyamin Zalka, 21, who was fatally stabbed outside a pizzeria in Petah Tikva on Independence Day eve, and transferred the case file to the Central District Attorney’s Office with recommendations to indict several minors on serious charges, police said.
According to officials familiar with the investigation, the main suspect, a 15-year-old boy, is expected to be charged with murder committed with indifference. Investigators have not found evidence indicating that the killing was planned in advance, the officials said.
At least four suspects are expected to face charges of murder committed jointly, according to the case file transferred by the Sharon Serious Crimes Unit. Prosecutors are also expected to file indictments against 13 other teenagers, aged 14 to 17, on charges of aggravated assault with intent to cause serious injury.
Three of the teenagers have already been released to house arrest, while prosecutors are expected to request that 10 others remain in custody until the end of legal proceedings.
Police described the investigation as one of the most complex handled recently by the Central District. Over the past several weeks, 19 minors from the Sharon region were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the violent brawl outside the Petah Tikva pizzeria that ended in Zalka’s death.
According to police, some of the suspects attempted to escape and hide after the incident. Additional people were arrested during the investigation on suspicion of assisting suspects and obstructing the probe.
Central District Commander Assistant Chief Amir Cohen met with Sharon Serious Crimes Unit Commander Ohad Goldberg to praise the investigative team.
“I am proud of you and your people,” Cohen said. “You conducted a professional, thorough, and comprehensive investigation, out of a deep commitment to uncovering the truth, bringing those involved to justice, and giving some comfort to the dear Zalka family.”
Israel Police said it “shares in the family’s grief and will continue to act resolutely against serious violent offenses, particularly youth crime.”
Family demands justice after killing
Zalka’s father, Balta, and his mother spoke publicly on Thursday night for the first time since the murder, saying, “Our hearts are dead. Instead of bringing him to the wedding canopy, I buried him. He was a child who was like a flower. He was murdered over nothing. Where is our security?”
Zalka’s father added that he had spoken to teachers and principals who have said they are afraid to leave their homes.
“We demand a just trial. They must receive the harshest possible punishment and spend the rest of their lives in prison,” he pressed.
Final charges are expected in the coming days, after prosecutors review the evidence collected by police. The key legal question will be the role each suspect allegedly played in the violent confrontation that ended with Zalka’s death.
