Christian Father Charged With Murdering His Daughter for Dating a Muslim

A Christian father was charged with murdering his daughter for dating a Muslim.

Sami Karra allegedly killed his 17-year-old daughter in an “honor killing,” because she was dating an imprisoned Muslim man and reportedly had plans to convert after his release, according to Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

Daughter Henriette was found dead of stab wounds in her own home last month. Karra, and Henriette’s mother and uncle were all arrested for the crime.

According to the indictment, “The defendant decided to cause the death of the deceased and in order to realize his goal he was equipped with a knife. The defendant stabbed the deceased three times, causing her death on the spot.”

Haaretz reports: 

In the course of the investigation, Henriette’s mother told the police her husband felt humiliated by his daughter’s behavior and saw it as an affront to the “family’s honor.” 

In a conversation between the two parents, which was recorded by the police the night before the murder, Henriette’s mother, Aliham, asked Sami Karra why he let her go to the graduation party. “Forget about her, let her go to hell,” he said. It’s not worth another shekel to even chase after her, she’s garbage. We need to whip her, throw her away like a dog and see how she does. She’s already gone; I’m sick of her and you.”

Henriette reportedly knew her family was after her and attempted to flee.

“You won’t believe what they did to me. …They are sending people to kill me,” she texted one friend, according to the Jerusalem Post.

“They are searching for me in every possible place,” another message said, “You don’t understand what fear this is. I don’t believe I have the strength to stand on my feet and run away.”

Samah Salaymeh, the head of the organization Women Against Violence, tells The Media Line, “The murder of women in Israel is increasing [by] an average of 15 per year. … [In 2017], six Arab women were killed, [and] the latest was Henriette.”

“The crimes against Arab women in Israel has become systematic, usually the excuse of family honor is used, however these crimes are far from honorable,” Salaymeh says. {eoa}