April 28, 2026
The murder of Yemanu Zelka shakes Israel
ימנו זלקה ז״ל. צילום באדיבות המשפחה
Yemanu Binyamin Zelka, a 21-year-old young man, worked at a Pizza Hut branch in Petah Tikva.
On Independence Day evening, a group of teenagers arrived at the place.
They sprayed snow spray at the location.
Yemanu asked them to stop.
In response, the teenagers attacked him violently.
One of them stabbed him.
Yemanu was injured and later died from his wounds.
Yemanu was the son of Ethiopian immigrants.
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He worked at the Pizza Hut branch to help provide for his family. His friends and family say that he was a good person. He was cheerful and kind to everyone.
The police have so far arrested nine teenagers involved in the attack. They are still searching for some of the attackers. The arrested teenagers are between the ages of 12 and 16. The main suspect in the murder is 15 years old.
The murder has shocked many in Israel. It comes in the wake of another murder in Be'er Sheva and a stabbing incident in Tel Aviv. In these cases as well, the attackers were groups of teenagers. Many people are talking about a sense of insecurity due to these events.
Following the murder, the police announced a national operation against youth crime. Police officers will go to entertainment venues and areas where there is concern about violence. The main effort will focus on Petah Tikva and South Tel Aviv.