The suspected officer
Photo: Yesha Civil Rights Organization
Man hurt in Amona riots to get NIS 35,000
Young man injured during violent evacuation of West Bank outpost over three years ago, left with 10% disability, files damages claim against Jerusalem Police, horseman who reportedly beat him. According to settlement reached by parties, State will pay Benyamin Frankel $8,373 compensation
Over three years ago, 20-year-old Benyamin Frankel arrived at the Amona outpost in the West Bank as a protester, and left the place in a helicopter bound for a hospital, after reportedly being beaten by a police officer.
He was ultimately diagnosed with a permanent 10% orthopedic disability rating, and now, Frankel will be receiving compensation from the State in the amount of NIS 35,000 ($8,373), according to a settlement reached by the two parties.
West Bank Clashes
Yesha rights group files punitive damages claim on behalf of settler claiming he was beat over the head with a club during clashes with police
Years after the evacuation of the West Bank outpost, the violent and bloody clashes between settlers and security forces still echo in Israel, and the compensation settlement was reached in the Netanya Magistrate's Court this week.
Frankel claimed he was only standing with the other demonstrators around one of the houses in Amona, and was beaten with a club in his neck by a police horseman.
As a result, Frankel collapsed, and was rushed to hospital. He continued to suffer from various medical problems and was given a permanent disability rating.
Frankel filed a complaint to the Police Investigation Unit but the case was closed on the grounds of "an unknown perpetrator".
Frankel did not back down and turned to the Yesha Human Rights Organization's identification center, that identified the suspect, a Jerusalem Police officer. Frankel returned to the Police Investigation Unit, but the case was closed yet again, due to lack of evidence.
Through Attorney Yaakov Mankin of the Yesha Human Rights Organization, Frankel filed a damages claim against the horseman and the police, that ended with the current compensation settlement.
Meanwhile, the horseman in question is also facing two other legal proceedings with regards to his conduct in Amona: Another damages claim filed by a youth that was standing near Frankel at the time, and was also allegedly beaten in the head, and a criminal case in which the officer is suspected of having trampled Yehuda Etzion with his horse.
Orit Struck, head of the Yesha Human Rights Organization said of the horseman, "This is a serial police officer." The Jerusalem Police Department refused to comment on the matter.
