Rishon Lezion attorney Arbel Feldman named as victim in office shooting

Attorney Arbel Feldman leaves behind his wife and three children. His family expressed shock and requested that his image not be released.

Attorney Arbel Feldman was confirmed Wednesday as the lawyer fatally shot in his Rishon Lezion office the day before, reportedly by a former client amid a disagreement over compensation funds.

Feldman, a Rishon Lezion resident, leaves behind his wife and three children. His family expressed shock and requested that his image not be released.

The 23-year-old suspect from Ramle fled the office after the shooting and later surrendered to police in southern Israel. The Rishon Lezion Magistrate Court extended his detention until August 16.

The firearm used in the incident remains missing.

Shooting took place around 1 p.m. on Tuesday

Police received a report shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday about a man critically injured by gunfire inside an office building. Feldman was discovered under his desk with multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead soon after.

Colleagues present in the office told investigators they heard a short exchange between Feldman and the suspect before several shots rang out. One colleague reported seeing the suspect depart quickly and then discovering Feldman bleeding under his desk.

Police believe Feldman was shot at least four times from close range.

The suspect reportedly admitted during questioning that he fired the shots. Investigators are checking whether he arrived with intent to kill Feldman or if an argument escalated before he used the weapon.

The conflict reportedly involved compensation from a personal injury claim tied to a traffic accident more than three years earlier. Feldman had represented the suspect in that matter.

Reports indicate the suspect claimed Feldman had wrongly sent the compensation payment to his father instead of directly to him. Investigators think the suspect visited the office to demand the money and confronted the lawyer before the shooting.

Feldman remembered as pleasant and devoted family man

Friends and colleagues described Feldman as quiet, courteous, and dedicated to his family.

Attorney Yaron Forer, who knew Feldman from court appearances in Rishon Lezion, called him a quiet, pleasant, and polite person whom he had never seen lose his temper.

Dozens of lawyers and Israel Bar Association staff observed two minutes of silence outside the Tel Aviv District Court and at other sites nationwide on Wednesday morning. The association also raised a black flag to protest Feldman killing and rising violence against 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 aimed to honor Feldman and to call for stronger protection for lawyers and others in the justice system.

Police continue searching for the weapon and examining the suspect actions before and after the shooting.