Israel to compensate Palestinian activist for false arrest

Israeli authorities were ordered by a court yesterday “to pay several thousand shekels in compensation for false arrest” to Hebron-based Palestinian activist Issa Amro.

According to the report by Haaretz, Amro “sued the state after being detained in Hebron in 2015 while conducting a tour of the city”.

Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court “ruled that Amro’s arrest had been unlawful and awarded him 5,500 shekels ($1,470) in damages”, significantly lower than the 40,000 shekels ($10,656) demanded by Amro.

As related by Haaretz, in the incident in question “Amro was standing with a group of people on Shuhada Street…when, at the request of Israeli soldiers, he moved to nearby stairs rather than standing in the street.”

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“Amro was then asked to leave the area altogether, but refused. He said that he lived in the area and presented an ID card with his address. After refusing, Amro was arrested and taken to a police station, where he waited several hours to be questioned. He was then released.”

In addition to awarding Amro $1,470 in compensation for four hours under arrest or detention, the court also awarded him 1,300 shekels ($346) in expenses and 3,500 shekels ($932) in legal fees.

“Amro’s lawyers, Eitay Mack and Gaby Lasky, said that in effect, the court had accepted Amro’s claim that he, like other anti-occupation activists, was detained without justification in an attempt to deter him from his activities,” Haaretz added.