Israeli bomber's taxi convicted of manslaughter

An Israeli cab driver who unwittingly drove a Palestinian suicide bomber to the site of an attack was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter today.

He is the first Jew to be convicted of aiding a bomber.

Ofer Schwartzboim was arrested in January, weeks after a suicide bomber killed four Israelis at a bus stop near Tel Aviv.

Investigators determined Schwartzboim had transported the bomber to the area.

At the time of the arrest, Schwartzboim confessed to driving the bomber and his accomplice, but said he had no idea the men were planning an attack.

He said he believed he was helping Palestinian labourers enter Israel to collect money from an employer.

It is illegal for Israelis to assist Palestinians without permits to enter the country. The bomber and his accomplice paid Shwartzboim about €18 for the ride.

Under a plea bargain agreement Shwartzboim, a 39-year-old resident of the West Bank settlement of Oranit, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and will be sentenced to six months of community service, the judge ruled.

Shwartzboim will also have his taxi licence revoked for life.