Palestinian to be charged for stabbing woman in Netanya; coat saved her from harm

A Palestinian man from the West Bank is set to face charges for carrying out a terror stabbing attack in the coastal city of Netanya last week, without causing any injuries, police said Tuesday.

According to law enforcement officials, on March 12 the 20-year-old suspect, who was not named, attacked a woman who was walking with young children she was looking after, in an alley near the city’s Independence Square.

He stabbed her in the shoulder with a pocket knife, but she was unharmed as the blade was blocked by her coat, which as a result was slightly torn.

Police said they received calls about suspicious activity at Independence Square, where officers detained the suspect, still armed with the knife.

Only later did the investigation reveal that the suspect had stabbed someone.

The suspect, who did not have an entry permit to Israel, was to be brought for a hearing at a military court on Tuesday to extend his remand ahead of an indictment that would be filed against him in the coming days, police said.

He is expected to be charged with terror offenses.