American indicted in Israel for murder

An American accused of murdering a Safed resident was indicted in an Israeli court.

Avraham Levi Yosef Blau was charged Sunday in Nazareth District Court with the murder of Tony Rose, The Jerusalem Post reported. It is believed the men knew each other, though it is not known what caused the April 13 attack at a synagogue in Safed.

Blau reportedly stabbed Rose as many as 17 times with a commando knife. Blau reportedly was homeless at the time.

Blau’s attorney has asked that he be evaluated by a psychiatrist to determine if he is fit to stand trial. Israel’s Justice Ministry is waiting for information about Blau to come from the United States, the Post reported.