Veteran land of Israel activist Itamar Ben-Gvir has won another legal victory over police. This time, the Jerusalem Magistrates Court has ordered a former police officer who kicked Ben-Gvir to pay him 18,000 shekels.
The incident in question took place near the Temple Mount, on the first day of the expulsion of Jews from Gush Katif. A police officer threw Ben-Gvir to the ground and kicked him repeatedly.
Police accused Ben-Gvir of having attacked the officer, but footage from security cameras stationed around the Old City showed that the officer's use of violence was unprovoked.
The offending officer was already punished, Ben-Gvir noted – he was fired from the force, and required to pay a 500 shekel fine. Ben-Gvir decided to pursue a civil suit anyway.
“I believe that each suit like this serves as a deterrent. Over the years I see police begin to understand that there is a judge, and there is justice, and they will pay for committing crimes,” he said.