Indictment Filed Against Migdal HaEmek Resident Over Sukkah Knife Threat

An indictment was filed against 49-year-old David Don, a resident of Migdal HaEmek, for threats and illegal possession of a knife. According to the indictment, Don was enraged by the music playing in his neighbors' Sukkah during the holiday. He arrived at the scene holding a large kitchen knife and threatened to slaughter the occupants if they did not turn down the music.

Police Intervention and Arrest

During the holiday, an emergency call was received at the Northern District's 100 hotline from terrified residents of Migdal HaEmek, reporting that a neighbor had approached the Sukkah with a knife and threatened them. Some of the neighbors fled the scene in panic and cut short their holiday gathering.

Patrol officers who arrived at the scene met with the frightened neighbors and with Don. According to the police, upon the officers' arrival, Don left the scene and went up to his apartment. The officers followed him to the apartment and arrested him. Initially, he denied threatening the neighbors and claimed he was holding a nail file rather than a knife. However, a search of the apartment uncovered the knife, which was seized as evidence.

"This was a severe violent incident in a Sukkah that was full of celebrants," said Chief Inspector Tagrid Zidan, head of the investigations and intelligence department at the Migdal HaEmek police station. "Given the defendant's past, he could well have carried out his threats and harmed the celebrants."

The police requested that Don's detention be extended until the end of legal proceedings, citing his dangerousness. The defense attorney, Naila Awkal representing Don through the Public Defender's Office, stated that her client denies all allegations, noting he is a normative citizen who cares for his elderly parents and was driven to frustration by excessive noise.