Ami Popper

Ami Popper was born in 1969 in Rishon LeZion

Ami Popper was born on 2 June 1969 in Rishon LeZion. He grew up there as the third of 4 children of Rachel, born in Poland, and Carol Popper, born in Romania.

He served in the Armored Corps of the IDF as a combat soldier. He was discharged after episodes of absence and indiscipline, which included taking a weapon from another soldier and attempting suicide.

On 20 May 1990, using a Galil rifle taken from his brother, a soldier, he shot Palestinian workers waiting at a bus stop in Rishon LeZion. He killed 7 and wounded others, and was arrested the same day. Protests and clashes followed in the territories.

In March 1991 he was convicted of 7 murders and sentenced to 7 life terms. In prison he became religious and married Sara Goldberg in June 1993. In 1999 President Ezer Weizman reduced his sentence to 40 years.

In 2007, during a prison furlough, he caused a car accident in which his wife and a son were killed. In 2012 he was moved to Ayalon Prison after harassing former President Moshe Katsav. His request for early release was rejected in November 2024.