Terrorist mob members ordered to pay more than NIS 220,000 to Jewish victims by Jerusalem court

The defendants were also ordered to pay an additional NIS 36,000 in attorneys’ fees and legal expenses, bringing the total amount imposed on them to more than NIS 220,000.

The court partially granted the plaintiffs’ claim for damages for pain and suffering resulting from the assault, which it recognized as having been nationally motivated. Judge Eliad Weinshall noted that the two defendants had already undergone criminal proceedings and served prison sentences for their roles in the attack.

One of the defendants, who had previously admitted to his role in the attack, was sentenced by a juvenile court to 20 months in prison, six months of suspended imprisonment and NIS 8,000 in compensation to the victims for carrying out a terrorist act involving attempted aggravated assault causing serious injury, throwing a stone at a means of transportation and intentionally damaging a motor vehicle. Despite admitting to his role, the first defendant argued that he had played only a minor role in the attack, a claim rejected by Weinshall.

In May 2021, the victims were traveling to the Western Wall while wearing kippot (Jewish skullcaps), identifying them as Jewish. When they were stopped in traffic at the Rockefeller Junction, a mob formed and began attacking them, throwing stones at their vehicle.

One of the car’s rear windows was shattered, and the first defendant reportedly attempted to open the vehicle’s door to throw stones inside. The driver was able to reverse in an attempt to escape the attackers, but the mob pursued the vehicle and continued throwing stones. At one point, the attackers pepper-sprayed the vehicle, while another rioter attempted to open the driver’s door.

One of the victims suffered a head injury from the stone-throwing, causing him to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a wall. The vehicle became stuck, allowing the attackers to continue their assault. The first defendant then opened the driver’s door and began kicking the victim forcefully as other rioters continued to throw stones at the vehicle.

The defendant also picked up a large stone, estimated to have been approximately 15 centimeters in size, and threw it onto the rear seat of the vehicle, intending to injure one of its occupants.

A police officer who arrived at the scene fired three shots into the air, after which the defendant and the other rioters moved away.

One of the three victims suffered a scalp laceration that required medical treatment under local anesthesia, as well as a hematoma on his right leg. The second suffered a laceration to his upper lip and pain in his right leg, while the third experienced pain and an intense burning sensation in his eyes, legs, and chest.