TEL AVIV — Haim Sirotkin, a former soccer player, was sentenced to one year in prison on Tuesday by the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court. The court convicted Sirotkin of reckless and negligent conduct involving a vehicle that struck five protesters.
The incident occurred on the evening of April 6, 2024, during a public demonstration in Tel Aviv. Sirotkin accelerated his vehicle into an intersection after a police officer, who had offered to guide the vehicle, stepped away.
Sirotkin was traveling with his wife and another couple to attend a party when they reached the intersection of Namir Road, Begin Road, and Shaul Hamelech Boulevard. He had previously stopped his vehicle and exchanged words with demonstrators who were crossing the road.
The court found that Sirotkin continued driving for more than 10 seconds before stopping the vehicle. One victim, a woman in her 60s, sustained a head injury and four broken ribs. The court ordered Sirotkin to pay NIS 20,000 in compensation to this victim and NIS 4,000 to each of four additional victims.
Sirotkin's driver's license was suspended for four years. The court concluded that Sirotkin did not intend to strike the protesters but knowingly accelerated, disregarding the risk of hitting people. The prosecution had argued Sirotkin acted with a mental state more serious than negligence but short of intent.
The defense withdrew its claim that a mechanical malfunction caused the incident. The court cited the number of victims, the severity of injuries, and Sirotkin's impatience following a prior confrontation as aggravating factors for the prison sentence. Potential contributing factors noted by the court included frustration over delays, anger at protester remarks, negative feelings toward demonstrators, pressure from Sirotkin's wife shouting, disregard for potential injuries, or an unintentional operational error. The court also stated that potential alcohol consumption was not sufficiently investigated to support firm conclusions and was not included in the indictment.