Woman Convicted of Knowing Intentions of Rabin’s Killer

A young woman who was a friend of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s murderer was convicted Sunday of knowing of the killer’s intentions and failing to inform the police.

Margalit Har-Shefi, 22, acknowledged Yigal Amir boasted to her that he was planning to assassinate Rabin in order to stop the peace process and the handing over of land to the Palestinians.

But she told the Tel Aviv Magistrates Court that she did not believe Amir intended to kill Rabin. She said she thought he was trying to impress her.

However, Judge Mira Litsky said that there were contradictions in Har-Shefi’s testimony and that it was clear she was aware of Amir’s intention.

“She took him seriously, not as a liar indulging in fantasies,” she said.

Rabin’s widow, Leah, expressed relief over the conviction, calling it a “ray of light in the darkness surrounding us.”

Rabin was shot to death at a peace rally in Tel Aviv.

Amir is serving a life sentence for the 1995 murder. Har-Shefi, who pleaded not guilty, could face up to two years in prison. Her lawyer said an appeal was planned.