Israeli Court Orders Palestinian Authority to Pay $900,000 Compensation for Illegal Detention

The Jerusalem District Court has ruled that the Palestinian Authority (PA) must pay approximately 3.34 million shekels (around $900,000) in compensation to a Palestinian man who was illegally detained and tortured for nearly five years. The plaintiff, a resident of the village of Samu, was accused of attempting to sell family-owned land to Israeli citizens in the settlement of Shomera, an act considered a severe security offense by the PA under its laws against "betrayal."

The man was arrested in February 2014 by the PA's security apparatus and charged with transferring Palestinian land to the enemy. He was convicted in a Hebron court in 2016 and sentenced to five years in prison with hard labor and a fine. His appeal to the Ramallah appeals court was rejected, and he remained imprisoned until February 2019. The Israeli court found the detention and imprisonment unlawful, stating that selling land to Israelis cannot be deemed "betrayal" solely based on the buyers' nationality.

The court's decision, delivered by Judge Chaya Zandberg, also detailed severe abuse the plaintiff endured during his detention, including prolonged shackling, solitary confinement, beatings with sticks and objects, exposure to cold water, deprivation of food and sleep, and verbal humiliation. Testimonies from fellow prisoners corroborated the violent treatment, including being beaten by masked PA personnel and being held in a cell known as the "Sharon cell" for suspected collaborators.

Medical records from December 2014 documented physical injuries such as scratches and finger damage. The court criticized the PA for failing to present witnesses to refute the torture claims. The compensation includes legal fees and will be paid through the tax collection mechanism similar to that used for victims of terror attacks.

Attorney Barak Kedem, representing the plaintiff, stated that while the financial compensation cannot restore the lost years or erase the harm, the ruling sends a clear message that the PA will be held accountable for persecuting Palestinians who engage with Israelis. He pledged to continue seeking justice and substantial compensation for others affected by the PA's policies.