Honenu Attorney Chayim Bleicher; Photo credit: Honenu
Tuesday, September 29, 2020, 10:32 In a civil suit filed subsequent to a criminal conviction, the Jerusalem Magistrates Court imposed on Magad bin Muhamed al-Ramadi payment of 4,000 NIS in compensation to a yeshiva student whom he attacked in the Old City of Jerusalem. The court also imposed payment of 1,500 NIS in legal expenses and attorneys’ fees on al-Ramadi.
The attack occurred approximately four years ago, when the yeshiva student was walking down HaBad Street in the Old City of Jerusalem. Al-Ramadi, accompanied by two friends, passed by the student and laughed at him. Suddenly and without any cause, al-Ramadi punched the student in the chest.
After the attack, al-Ramadi was apprehended and interrogated by the police. He admitted to his acts and was convicted in a criminal case. In the framework of a plea bargain, five months’ prison service, to be served as community service, a three-month suspended sentence, and payment of 1,000 NIS to the victim were imposed on him. Also, simultaneously, in other unrelated cases two suspended sentences were handed down to him.
Subsequent to the criminal suit, with the assistance of Honenu Attorney Chayim Bleicher, the attacked yeshiva student sued al-Ramadi for assault in a civil suit. The statement of claim mentions that as a result of the assault the student suffered from chest pains, anxiety, and severe humiliation. The attack also undermined his sense of security and he has constant fears of a recurring incident whenever he walks in the Old City of Jerusalem or similar places.
Honenu Attorney Chayim Bleicher: “We will continue our consistent efforts to deter antisemitic assailants, in part by working towards sentences which obligate the assailant to compensate the victim out of his own pocket. Every potential terrorist must know that attacking Jews will result in a stiff penalty, both a prison sentence and payment of compensation. It must be clear that we do not intend to let antisemitic assaults such as this pass quietly. We hope that this will constitute a deterrence for potential assailants, who will fear that attacking Jews will cost them dearly.”