Palestinian man charged with British student’s murder in Israel
The train was packed at the time of the attack as Christians marked Good Friday and Jews celebrated Passover.
A Palestinian man has been charged with the murder of a British student in Israel on Good Friday.
Hannah Bladon, 20, was stabbed multiple times in the back with a 7-inch knife as she was travelling on a light rail train near the Old City, according to an indictment filed by the Jerusalem District Attorney’s Office.
Jamil Tamimi, 57, faces a charge of intentional murder over the attack on the University of Birmingham student, who had been on an exchange programme with the Rothberg International School at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem since January.
Her family said she had been taking part in an archaeological dig that morning and described her as a “talented musician” and “enthusiastic rugby player”.
The train was packed at the time of the attack as Christians marked Good Friday and Jews celebrated Passover.
The indictment alleges Tamimi bought the knife that morning and hid it in a bag, before later boarding a train where he stood next to Ms Bladon.
Prosecutors say he stabbed the student several times, including in her back, right arm and chest, until he was “overcome” by other passengers.
Paramedics treated Ms Bladon at the scene and rushed her to hospital, but she later died.
A pregnant woman and a 50-year-old man were also injured when the tram came to a sudden stop in the aftermath of the attack.
Israeli Police Superintendent Micky Rosenfeld said the attack was carried out by an “Arab terrorist” from Rasel Amud, in east Jerusalem.
