Student Brutally Attacked by Classmates to Receive $130,000 in Compensation

A junior high school student in Kiryat Shmona who was severely beaten, stripped, and threatened by classmates during a school lunch break will receive 430,000 shekels (approximately $130,000 USD) in compensation. The incident, which occurred about four years ago when the victim was 13, involved students assaulting him, taping his mouth and nose shut, and dragging him towards a dangerous area. A supervising teacher intervened, and the student was hospitalized for five days, suffering physical and psychological trauma, including anxiety, enuresis, and self-harming thoughts.

The lawsuit, filed by the student's parents against the state, the Ministry of Education, the state's internal insurance fund 'Inbal', Ayalon Insurance Company, and the local municipality, alleged a lack of adequate supervision by educational staff. The municipality initially dismissed the attack as a "prank" and argued it had no legal responsibility as school staff are employed by the Ministry of Education. The Ministry of Education and its insurer, 'Inbal', contested the credibility of the medical documentation and the claimed damages, seeking to reduce any compensation and dismiss the case.

Recently, a settlement was reached where the Ministry of Education will pay approximately 300,000 shekels, and the municipality will contribute about 120,000 shekels, totaling 420,000 shekels. The student's parents expressed hope that the case serves as a "warning light" to the Ministry of Education and other educational bodies, emphasizing the critical responsibility of ensuring student safety. Their lawyer stated that the settlement demonstrates the significant legal and financial consequences of failing to uphold the duty of care towards students.