21-year prison sentence handed down to Barakat Abu Issa, who broke into a home in Gedera and raped a woman in front of her son

The Central District Court in Lod sentenced Barakat Abu Issa to 21 years in prison this morning, Wednesday. He was convicted last April of aggravated rape, child abuse, and breaking and entering, after raping a woman in front of her son when he broke into her home in Gedera about three years ago. In addition, he was given a suspended sentence and ordered to pay 200,000 shekels in compensation to the victim.

According to the verdict, Abu Issa, who worked at a construction site opposite the woman's house, broke into her apartment in the dead of night and tied her hands, feet, and eyes with duct tape he had brought with him in advance, while her two-year-old son stood by her side crying. He then threatened to kill her, removed the toddler from the room, and raped her. Later, he returned the child to the room, drank beer he had taken from the kitchen, and fled only after the victim's 4-year-old son managed to free her using a knife.

The judges determined that this was a prolonged and terrifying incident and emphasized the exceptional severity of the acts, which were carried out inside the woman's home—the place that should be her fortress—in front of her toddler son. They further noted that the violence used against the mother in front of her son also constitutes abuse of him, and that the threats to her life and the lives of her children exacerbated the harm. In the sentencing, the judges also addressed the victim, noting that she still struggles with the severe consequences of the attack, including the loss of a sense of security in her home and emotional and functional impairments. They praised her courage in testifying in court and expressed hope that with the conclusion of the criminal proceedings, she would be able to recover together with her children.

Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir stated outside the court in Lod: "I have the privilege of accompanying the complainant who went through a very great tragedy. This is an event with nationalistic characteristics; let's not be naive, this is not just a break-in and not just a rape. This is also an attack because she is Jewish. I support her, I embrace her on this day. This is a very important message; it is good that the court sent such a message. Next time we need to pass a death penalty law for such cases as well; such a person should not live."

The mother shared the moments of horror: "I was afraid he would kill me and my children—I surrendered." "He tied me up all over in front of my little son. After he walked around the whole house, he came back and raped me," the victim recounted in her testimony. At the time of the conviction, the court determined that the complainant's testimony was credible, convincing, and consistent, and was supported by evidentiary reinforcements. During the trial, Abu Issa tried to claim that he was not involved in the incident at all, and even raised the argument that the DNA findings might belong to one of his brothers. Despite the fact that the victim could not identify him, as he ensured she would not see his face during the rape, the court determined that there is unequivocal evidence linking him to the act beyond a reasonable doubt.

In an interview with the "Central Edition" a few years ago, she shared the moments of horror: "I was helpless with three small children inside the house. I tried to protect my little son as much as I could. I fought against a man whose only desire was that I would not be able to see him. I bit him, I dragged sofas and tried to confront him until I reached a state where he told me: 'If you don't be quiet, I will kill you.' My fear was that he would kill my children and me—so I surrendered."