Charedi Couple Knocked Down By Police Water Cannon In Jerusalem Receive 50,000 NIS Compensation

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — A charedi Jerusalem couple who were knocked to the ground by a police water cannon during a demonstration by the Jerusalem Faction at the entrance to the city were awarded 50,000 NIS in compensation.

Eliezer Noach and Hadassah Shulman were walking on the pavement near the demonstration when they were hit by the water cannon and flung to the ground by the force of the water. The two were not participating in the demonstration, which took place before Yom Kippur 5783 after a yeshiva draft dodger had been arrested, and had just gotten off a bus entering the city. Footage from the scene showed that the couple were not involved in the demonstration.

אלימות משטרתית מופרעת. זוג חרדים מבוגרים נקלעו במקרה לאיזור ההפגנות של הפלג הירושלמי ביום חמישי בכניסה לירושלים (אוטובוסים הורידו שם נוסעים ורואים שהם לא פעילים בהפגנה). מכתזית התיזה מים לראשה של האישה, כבת שבעים, ממרחק של מטרים ספורים והיא נפלה ונחבלה בידה. פשוט בושה וחרפה pic.twitter.com/0oRYMMStOQ

— בר שם-אור Bar Shem-Ur (@Bar_ShemUr) October 2, 2022

As a result of the water cannon hitting the couple, Shoshana, a woman of 70 years old, fell and injured her arm. She was taken to hospital for treatment.

In the wake of the accident, the couple filed suit against police via attorney Michael Littvak of the Be’Tzalmo organization. The suit ended in a compromise agreement in which the couple will receive compensation from police and the policeman in charge of the water cannon, who operated in violation of guidelines, will not return to his position.

Attorney Littvak welcomed the compromise, stating that “police made a serious mistake in harming my clients, the Shulmans. Unfortunately the police did not take immediate responsibility, did not apologize to the couple and did not fire the operator of the water cannon and therefore we filed a civil suit.

“I am happy that the prosecutor took responsibility for the serious harm caused, reached a compromise and gave substantial compensation. I call on anyone harmed by police not to relinquish his right and to file suit, as only in this way can we eradicate police brutality.

Shai Glick, the director of B’Tzalmo, said that “Police must give equal ttreatment to every citizen. Unfortunately we see time and again police harming innocent people because they are chareidim or settlers. This must stop and if police don’t understand this rationally they will understand via monetary compensation.”