PTSD Veteran Sentenced After Violent Clash with Ben-Gvir's Security

The incident unfolded on a quiet evening in Kiryat Arba as Itamar Ben-Gvir, who at the time served as a member of Knesset, walked alongside his wife Ayala and two Knesset Guard security personnel. They were traveling between the Hazon David synagogue and the local ulpana. Meir Yahia Kadush, carrying his young daughter on his shoulders and smelling of alcohol, approached the group and wrapped his arms tightly around Ben-Gvir's neck in a forceful embrace.

The security personnel quickly intervened after noticing that the close embrace was causing discomfort and potential danger to Ben-Gvir. When the guard asked Kadush to loosen his grip, the veteran refused. Ben-Gvir attempted to calm the situation by explaining that the guards were simply performing their duty to protect him due to ongoing threats to his life. In response, Kadush dismissively remarked that Ben-Gvir was "threatened like ISIS," escalating the tension of the brief encounter.

The situation rapidly deteriorated from an awkward public interaction into a physical confrontation. As the guard moved to gently push Kadush's hand away from Ben-Gvir, the veteran began cursing the security detail and issuing severe threats. The physical struggle intensified as Kadush tore the guard's coat, resisted restraint efforts by kicking and throwing punches, and continued his aggressive behavior even after police officers arrived at the scene.

In a particularly dangerous moment during the melee, Kadush managed to break free from the police, approached the security guard once more, and grabbed the strap of his weapon, effectively choking him. To free himself from the potentially fatal hold, the guard was forced to strike Kadush with his fist. The guard sustained injuries to his hand during the struggle and required subsequent medical attention.

Following a full evidentiary trial, Kadush was convicted of assaulting a public servant under aggravating circumstances. During the sentencing phase, state prosecutors emphasized the inherent severity of attacking public security personnel, arguing that deterrence required actual prison time. Conversely, the defense counsel urged the court to look closely at Kadush's difficult psychiatric background as a combat veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, warning that incarceration could severely exacerbate his mental state.

Ultimately, the presiding judge chose a lenient path, balancing the severity of the physical assault against the mitigating circumstances of Kadush's recognized combat trauma. The court handed down a suspended prison sentence alongside a modest financial penalty, avoiding custodial time while still formally registering a conviction for the grave actions committed years prior.