Uproar in court: Only 7 years in prison for driver who caused the death of the engaged couple

The Be'er Sheva District Court sentenced Soria Abu Arar to 7 years in prison for reckless manslaughter of the couple Eliav Avksis and Shahaf Danino in February 2025. Abu Arar crossed a solid white line on a Negev road and collided head-on with their vehicle. The victims' families burst into tears and shouted at the judge and the offending driver.

The Be'er Sheva District Court sentenced Soria Abu Arar (44), a resident of the Negev, to 7 years in prison and a 20-year driving license suspension for two counts of reckless manslaughter. Abu Arar caused the fatal accident that killed the couple Eliav Avksis (23) and his fiancée Shahaf Danino (28) in February 2025 near Be'er Sheva, after crossing a solid white line while overtaking. Upon the reading of the verdict, the victims' families burst into tears, and Shahaf's brother angrily asked, "Only seven years?!" Judge Noa Haklai took into account Abu Arar's confession and her being a mother of eight children. Additionally, Abu Arar will compensate each family with 180,000 shekels. The prosecution sought a sentence of up to 16 years in prison. The families gave harrowing testimonies about the loss and pain.