Border Police Officer Sentenced to Four Years for Checkpoint Bribery

A Jerusalem court sentenced David Malul, a Border Police officer, to four years in prison on Thursday after he was convicted of taking bribes to smuggle Palestinians through a security checkpoint without inspection, as well as weapons trafficking.

Malul was convicted based on his confession to an indictment filed by the Police Internal Investigations Department. According to the charges, while serving at the Ras Bidu checkpoint, Malul coordinated with Palestinians to allow unauthorized individuals to cross without checks in exchange for approximately 25,000 shekels.

In addition, Malul admitted to stealing two police stun grenades and selling them to a Palestinian. The court ruled that Malul acted with full awareness of the security risks posed to the country and its citizens, showing utter indifference to the danger he created.

The court also noted that Malul continued his illicit actions even after a deadly terror attack occurred at the Ramot junction in September 2025, despite fearing that he might have personally facilitated the terrorists' passage through his checkpoint.

Malul was convicted of bribery, breach of trust, and weapons trafficking. Three other Border Police officers were also implicated in the affair, and their sentencing will be determined at a later date.

Malul's defense attorney argued that his client's mental health had deteriorated prior to the incidents and that his family had previously informed his commanders about the issue.