Jerusalem City Hall has filed a lawsuit seeking NIS 518,000 in damages from the arsonists convicted in the hate attack against the Jerusalem Bilingual School attended by both Jews and Arabs. The defendants in the case were sentenced to terms of 2.5 and 2 years, and this is being appealed by the prosecution which is seeking harsher sentences.

The lawsuit was filed because of the heavy damage to the school in the arson attack in addition to the indirect costs following the blaze including paying for psychologists for students, some who were reportedly traumatized by the attack.

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat announced “Everyone should know that anyone damaging city property, including buildings, schools and the light rail”. The mayor points out that in addition to criminal charges, suspects will be expected to pay for the damages caused.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)