The Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court on Monday annulled the conviction of police officer Ido Katzir, who was documented when he attacked chareidi demonstrators.

According to a Kikar Shabbos News report, Judge Sharon-Lavi’s arguments included, inter alia, that personal circumstances should be taken into account in Katzir’s life, and that such a conviction would cast a stain on his future and the continuation of his life.

For this reason, the judge decided to make do with a symbolic punishment of a 120-hour public service, which will begin within a month.

The indictment alleges that in one of the cases he beat a 17-year-old boy during a demonstration, and in another demonstration that took place months later, he kicked several people who participated in the demonstration.

Attorney Itamar Ben-Givir, who represented the chareidim who were attacked by Katzir in a civil proceeding, is quoted telling the Kikar Shabbos News in response to the cancellation of the outrageous conviction: “In our opinion, the [Justice Ministry] police investigations unit that ran the criminal case acted against Katzir with silk gloves. The conviction should not have been lifted”

“It is true that there is still a punishment, and the civil lawsuit that I filed against him is still being discussed, but in the case of a serious attack, which was even documented, the cancellation of the conviction leaves a bad taste,” Ben-Givir added.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)