Honenu Attorney Chayim Bleicher; Photo credit: Honenu
Monday, March 22, 2021, 11:20 Jerusalem District Court Judge Avraham Rubin ruled that the legal adult of a group of three Arab youths who attacked a then 17-year-old yeshiva student near the Old City of Jerusalem approximately two years ago will pay the victim 40,000 NIS in compensation. The yeshiva student was walking to prayers at the Western Wall. When he reached the area of Sha’ar Tzion (Zion Gate), the Arab youths approached him and after verifying that he was Jewish, viciously beat him in all parts of his body. A short time after the attack the assailants were detained and indicted. The court convicted the adult in a criminal trial in early 2020, and he was sentenced to 11 months’ imprisonment.
Throughout the entire criminal trial Honenu Attorney Chayim Bleicher assisted the assaulted youth and his family. Subsequent to the verdict, Bleicher filed a civil suit on behalf of the victim against the adult assailant. Bleicher also filed a suit against the minors, who were recently convicted.
In the statement of claim, Bleicher described how the incident unfolded, the characteristics of the attack as stated in the bill of indictment, the severe injury which the victim experienced, and the lengthy rehabilitation process he underwent to recover from the incident. The two assailants who were minors at the time of the attack have been convicted and are being tried in a civil case.
Honenu Attorney Chayim Bleicher, who is representing the victim: “A ruling such as this which obligates the assailant to pay compensation out of his own pocket to a victim is part of our endeavor to combat the phenomenon of antisemitic terror. We are certain that this will contribute to deterring potential terrorists. Honenu will continue to act tirelessly to bring to trial anyone who dares to assault a Jew. Every terrorist must know that he will face lengthy legal proceedings, at the end of which he will pay out of his own pocket to the victim in addition to serving a prison sentence. We are certain that this will contribute to deterring potential terrorists and curbing terror.”
In related news, on March 9, in a plea bargain agreement, the Jerusalem Magistrates Court ruled that an Arab resident of East Jerusalem who admitted to beating a Jew and whipping him with his belt will serve only three months of community service, which will be reduced by the number of days he was held in remand. Additionally, the assailant will pay 2,000 NIS in compensation to the complainant. See here for more details.