Full Breakdown
Murder of Attorney Arbel Feldman in Rishon Lezion
8/5/2026, 8:11:05 PM
Core Event
On Tuesday afternoon, torts lawyer Arbel Feldman was shot dead inside his office on Rozhansky Street in Rishon Lezion. Police say the gunman entered the building, walked to Feldman’s office, and fired at least four close-range shots. Feldman was found beneath his desk with multiple wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene by Magen David Adom (MDA) responders. The suspect, identified as Ahmed al-Rajoub, a resident of Ramle, fled the scene, later surrendering at a police station in Ashdod.
Background & Context
Feldman had represented al-Rajoub in a personal-injury claim stemming from a traffic accident that occurred more than three years earlier. The dispute that preceded the shooting concerned the settlement payment. One source reported the claim was for NIS 10,000 (? $3,300); another cited NIS 15,000 (? $5,000). Feldman maintained that the money had already been transferred to the client’s father, a point the suspect contested.
Data & Statistics
- Victim: Arbel Feldman, ~50 years old, married with three children.
- Suspect: Ahmed al-Rajoub, reported as 23 years old in several accounts and 20 years old in others.
- Shots fired: at least four rounds, according to police and eyewitnesses.
- Settlement amount disputed: NIS 10,000 vs NIS 15,000.
- Detention: extended to August 16 (scheduled).
Official Statements & Responses
- Police indicated that al-Rajoub did not possess a firearm licence and that the weapon used has not yet been recovered.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Israeli society must set a clear boundary against violence and hatred.” — Amit Becher
- “The suspect came to the police and confessed to the act,” — Commander Superintendent Amir Cohen
- “Our work will not stop until we locate the firearm used in the shooting and complete the evidentiary picture needed to bring the case to court.” — Police
On-the-Ground Reports
Feldman’s law partner, who was present in the building, recounted hearing a brief conversation followed by “small popping sounds” that turned out to be gunshots. He entered the office to find Feldman lying in a pool of blood and immediately called emergency services.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Age of suspect: sources list the assailant as 23 years old (JPost, Times of Israel) and 20 years old.
- Settlement amount: reports differ between NIS 10,000 and NIS 15,000.
- Firearm ownership: police state the suspect lacked a licence, but it remains unclear whether he was a registered gun owner.
- Weapon recovery: the gun used in the shooting has not been found.
What’s Next
The suspect appeared before the Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court on August 5, 2026 for a hearing on extending his detention. The court has ordered his detention to continue until August 16. Police investigations are being handled by the Shfela District’s central major crimes unit, with ongoing efforts to locate the firearm and fully document the case. The Israel Bar Association has organized a two-minute moment of silence at courthouses nationwide and formed a task force to assist threatened lawyers.
