Court Awards Modest Compensation to Man Illegally Arrested for Filming Police
A 49-year-old Nahariya resident, arrested after filming a police officer issuing him a traffic ticket, has been awarded partial compensation by a small claims court in Acre. The court ruled that the arrest was unlawful, though it dismissed most of the man's claims.
The incident occurred in February 2025 when the plaintiff was stopped for allegedly running a stop sign and not wearing a seatbelt. As the officer, Yamen Bibar, approached to issue the tickets, the plaintiff refused to accept them directly, asking they be placed on the windshield, and began filming. The plaintiff alleged the officer "lost his temper," threatened him, and then forcibly arrested him, handcuffing him and confiscating his phone. The police, however, claimed the plaintiff acted aggressively, approaching the officer, holding his phone close to his face, gesturing threateningly, and touching the officer's stomach.
The court reviewed a 15-minute video recording of the encounter. The judge noted the officer's statements to the plaintiff, including, "Don't talk to me with your hand, lower your hand... one more time you raise your hand I will detain you at the station," and later, "Film from a distance... for me this is a threat in every respect." The plaintiff responded, "I am not threatening you at all... speak politely." Within seconds, the officer declared, "You are detained with me at the station... you are under arrest... for assaulting a police officer."
The judge determined that the brief period between the initial detention and the arrest, described as "a few seconds," meant there was no "real fear of violence from the plaintiff." The court concluded that the plaintiff's actions did not constitute an offense justifying his arrest, stating that the arrest was "drastic" and should be used with "extreme caution." The court also noted that the video did not show the plaintiff touching the officer's stomach as alleged, nor any attempt to flee.
While the arrest was deemed unlawful, the court dismissed claims related to the period after the arrest, stating the plaintiff was released appropriately. Claims against the station commander were also dismissed due to lack of personal involvement. As no medical report was submitted, claims for physical injuries were also denied. Ultimately, the state, represented by the Israel Police, was ordered to pay the plaintiff 1,200 shekels for non-pecuniary damages and 300 shekels in legal costs, a modest sum compared to the 10,000 shekel claim. The judge clarified that no personal liability was imposed on the officer or station commander, as the officer acted within his duties and the commander was not involved.
