Channel 14 reporter blasts court decision: "Get a vomit bag ready"
Moti Castel has sharply criticized a court's decision to cancel the conviction of a man who attacked him and another woman, accusing the judicial system of selective enforcement and questioning the message it sends to the public.
Channel 14 reporter Moti Castel spoke out on Sunday via X against a decision by the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court to cancel the conviction of Avner Shemesh, who had previously admitted to acts of violence and threats in two separate cases. In his post, Castel began by stating: "Sit down, get a vomit bag ready and stay with me until the end," before detailing the affair and launching a scathing attack on the decision made by Judge Zion Sahrai.
According to the information presented by Castel, Shemesh had been convicted of assault causing actual bodily harm against Tali Tirosh Weiner, as well as threats and simple assault against Castel himself. The court records indicate that Shemesh threatened Castel, saying, "Get out of here, I'll blow you up," before pushing him and striking the mobile phone he was holding. In the other incident, the indictment states that Shemesh struck Tirosh Weiner in the back, throwing her against a wall and leaving a mark on her forehead.
Castel noted that the prosecution had requested a stricter sentencing range, citing the infringement on the right to protest, and had even agreed to four months of community service. However, Judge Sahrai ruled that the attack on Castel did not constitute an infringement on his right to protest, thereby rejecting the argument for a harsher sentence.
"How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked?" Castel asked.
The court justified its decision as an "exceptional case," citing the therapeutic process Shemesh had undergone and the potential damage a criminal record would cause to his employment. Ultimately, Shemesh was sentenced to 100 hours of community service, 500 shekels in compensation to the victims, and a 2,000-shekel undertaking to avoid similar offenses for two years.
Castel criticized the court for failing to communicate with him since the complaint was filed, noting that he was not even updated on the final decision. He argued that attacks on journalists should be treated as serious incidents and claimed that the judicial response is influenced by the political identity of the parties involved.
Furthermore, Castel referenced the case of Dorit Yitzhak, who he claims filed a complaint against Shemesh for suspected sexual harassment. According to Castel, she was informed after one year and nine months that the case was closed due to a lack of evidence.
Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir responded to Castel's post on X, calling the situation a "resounding moral and value failure" and another example of unequal enforcement. Ben Gvir added that in the next government, the Otzma Yehudit party's priority would be a "fundamental, deep reform of the judicial system" to restore trust, equality before the law, and the protection of citizens and journalists.
