In a landmark ruling, a Jerusalem court has ordered an Arab minor to pay NIS 100,000 ($26,800 USD) in compensation to a Hasidic Jewish man he assaulted in an “antisemitic” attack in the Old City, sending a powerful message that violence will carry a hefty financial price.
In a significant and precedent-setting decision, the Jerusalem Juvenile Magistrate’s Court has ordered an Arab minor to pay a hefty NIS 100,000 (approximately US $26,800) in compensation to a Hasidic Jewish man he assaulted in a brazen attack within Jerusalem’s Old City. This ruling stems from a civil lawsuit filed by the victim, which the defendant notably failed to contest.
According to explosive court documents, the incident unfolded on Hagai Street as the 40-year-old Jewish man, a father of ten and a Jerusalem resident, was making his way to pray at the sacred Western Wall. The assailant reportedly approached him, forcefully pulled his distinctive sideburns – a traditional and cherished element of Hasidic appearance – and then swiftly fled the scene.
The plaintiff courageously described the assault as a “serious antisemitic incident,” testifying that he felt directly targeted due to his traditional Hasidic attire and appearance. He recounted enduring significant physical pain, profound emotional distress, and lingering fear in the aftermath of the unprovoked attack.
This substantial civil penalty follows a prior criminal conviction for the minor, secured through a plea deal, which included a one-month prison sentence and an obligation to pay restitution. The current civil case now layers on a severe additional financial consequence, underscoring the legal system’s multi-pronged approach to such crimes.
Attorney Chaim Bleicher of the Honenu legal organization, who passionately represented the victim, lauded the court’s decision. “Nationalist and antisemitic attacks in Jerusalem are an intolerable phenomenon,” Bleicher declared, sending a stern warning to potential perpetrators. “This ruling sends a clear message: there is a price for violence, and it will be paid.” This landmark ruling is poised to deter future acts of violence motivated by hate in Jerusalem’s sensitive Old City.
