Palestinian minor appeals 12-year prison term in Israeli court

A 14-year-old Palestinian boy is appealing a 12-year prison sentence handed to him by an Israeli court in Jerusalem yesterday.

Ahmad Manasra was 13 years old when he allegedly attacked an Israeli boy with a knife, according to Ynet News. He was sentenced in November 2016 and his family was ordered to pay 180,000 shekels ($51,000) in compensation.

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The defence argued that Manasra should have faced lesser charges on account of his age and should have been sent for “rehabilitation” using “peaceful methods”.

Meanwhile, the family of the Israeli boy were angry that Manasra had, in their view, received a light sentence and wanted the prosecutor to appeal for an increased penalty.

Manasra was shot after allegedly perpetrating the attack and video footage later confirmed that he was tortured by Israeli police while in custody. His 15-year-old cousin, also accused of being involved in the attack, was killed on the spot.