Israeli Court Erases Over 50,000 Shekels Debt of Border Police Volunteer Who Killed Palestinian Suspect

In a recent court ruling, an Israeli court ordered the cancellation of approximately 50,000 shekels in outstanding debt owed by a former Border Police volunteer who fatally shot a Palestinian suspect in 2014. The incident occurred during a nighttime operation in the Sharon region's seam line communities, where the volunteer, a former naval commando, pursued and shot a Palestinian illegal resident attempting to steal a vehicle.

Following the incident, the volunteer was sentenced to seven months in prison and ordered to pay 100,000 shekels in compensation to the victim's family. According to a petition submitted by attorney Yehuda Sharky from the Honenu organization, the volunteer accepted full responsibility and made significant efforts to repay the debt despite difficult personal circumstances. Before imprisonment, he paid 50,000 shekels, and after release, with loans and great effort, he paid an additional 35,000 shekels, totaling over 103,000 shekels, exceeding the original compensation amount.

However, due to payment delays caused by objective hardships, including his wife's deteriorating health and financial struggles, late fees accumulated, increasing the debt by about 50,000 shekels. Honenu sought clarification from the fines collection center on the debt breakdown but received evasive responses. Attempts to contact the victim's family for their stance went unanswered. Honenu then petitioned the court, arguing that the added fines constituted an undue economic punishment hindering the volunteer's rehabilitation and family support.

The court accepted the petition, ordered the debt erased, and closed the case. Attorney Sharky praised the decision as humane and appropriate, emphasizing Honenu's commitment to supporting Israeli fighters from all units and backgrounds.