Eran Naim, who plays a "good policeman" in the Oscar-nominated Israeli film Ajami, was ordered on Wednesday to pay more than 25,000 shekels in damages from his own pocket in restitution in connection with his 2007 conviction on a charge of violence as a real policeman against Akiva Vitkin in a 2005 demonstration against the Disengagement removal by Israel of Jews from Gaza and northern Samaria.
Naim was photographed by Arutz Sheva's Tovia Lerner as he stuck his fingers in Vitkin's nostrils and pulled his head back. He did not deny the incident. Following testimony by two senior officers, the judge ruled that the tactic was not learned or recommended and sentenced Naim to six months of public service. He was also fired from the police. Wednesday's decision follows an extended civil case.