Attorney Arbel Feldman was identified on Wednesday as the lawyer shot dead in his Rishon Lezion office a day earlier, allegedly by a former client following a dispute over compensation money.
Feldman, a Rishon Lezion resident, is survived by his wife and three children. His family said it was in shock and asked that his photograph not be published.
The 23-year-old suspect, a Ramle resident, fled the office after the shooting before surrendering to police in southern Israel several hours later. The Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court extended his detention until August 16.
The gun used in the shooting has not been found.
Shooting occured around 1 p.m. on Tuesday
Police received a report shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday of a man critically wounded by gunfire in an office building. Feldman was found beneath his desk with multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead shortly afterward.
The suspect in the murder of attorney Arbel Feldman arrives for a court hearing on his detention extension at the Magistrate’s Court in Rishon LeZion, August 5, 2026. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/FLASH90)Colleagues who were in the office told investigators they heard a brief exchange between Feldman and the suspect before several shots were fired. One colleague said he saw the suspect leaving quickly and then found Feldman bleeding beneath his desk.
Police suspect Feldman was shot at least four times at close range.
The suspect reportedly admitted during questioning that he had fired the shots. Investigators are examining whether he arrived intending to kill Feldman or whether an argument escalated before he drew the weapon.
The dispute is believed to have concerned compensation from a personal-injury claim arising from a traffic accident more than three years ago. Feldman had represented the suspect in the case.
According to reports, the suspect claimed Feldman had improperly transferred the compensation payment to his father rather than directly to him. Investigators believe he went to the office demanding the money and confronted the lawyer before the shooting.
Feldman described as pleasant, dedicated family man
Friends and colleagues described Feldman as quiet, courteous, and devoted to his family.
Attorney Yaron Forer, who knew Feldman from appearances at the Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court, described him as “a quiet, pleasant, and polite person” whom he had never seen lose his temper.
Dozens of lawyers and Israel Bar Association employees held two minutes of silence outside the Tel Aviv District Court and at other locations around the country on Wednesday morning. The association also raised a black flag in protest against Feldman’s killing and growing violence directed at lawyers.
“We will not allow this criminal murder to pass without a response,” Israel Bar Association head Amit Becher said. “Israeli society must set a clear boundary against violence and hatred.”
Becher said the protest was intended both to honor Feldman and to demand greater protection for lawyers and others working within the justice system.
Police are continuing to search for the weapon and investigate the suspect’s actions before and after the shooting.
Follow us on Google
