The family of the late Hodaya Asulin Hy’d, who was severely injured seven years ago in a terror attack near Jerusalem’s International Convention Center, commonly known as Binyenei HaUma, and died this past year after struggling for her life, appealed to the Military Advocate General’s Office in Judea and Samaria, demanding that the trial of the four terrorists convicted of the attack be reopened.
The family demands that the prosecution apply a unique clause in Israel’s Security Provisions Order which states that in the event of the death of a crime victim, the offender who has already been convicted of injuring them may be retried for the same acts, this time on capital charges.
The appeal was filed by attorney Menashe Yado of the Honenu legal aid society, which represents the family.
“When the terrorists were convicted of the attack, the deceased’s death had not yet occurred, and now that she has passed away, it is only fair that the terrorists be held accountable for causing her death,” attorney Yado wrote.
Hodaya Nechama Asulin was 21 when she succumbed to her wounds, on Nov. 22, 2017, from a 2011 terrorist attack that left her with severe brain damage. She was survived by her parents and six brothers and sisters.
According to the website commemorating her life, One Family Overcoming Terror Together, the attack took place when Hodaya was 14 years old. She was waiting for a bus home to Mevo Choron near the Jerusalem Convention Center. Suddenly, there was a massive explosion right near where she was sitting. Terrorists had planted a powerful bomb in a bag behind the bus stop.
The explosion damaged her brain stem. She remained in a vegetative state for six years. Two weeks before her death, her condition had suddenly deteriorated. At her funeral, her mother Michal spoke about how fortunate the family was to be with her for her brief life.
“We received you as a gift twice, once 21 years ago and a second time six and a half years ago. An innocent and pure child, you were exceptionally sensitive, and you had a keen sense of what was happening with others.”
“The conspirators are expected to be launched within 12 years,” said Yado, adding that this outcome is insufferable, which is why “there’s a real need to sentence the members of the squad for the death of Hodaya Nechama.”