A controversial fine issued to a chareidi driver for wearing tefillin while driving has now been officially canceled, following intervention from Itamar Ben-Gvir.

The incident, which was heatedly debated, took place in Jerusalem when a driver was slapped with a ₪1,000 ticket by police who claimed he did not have proper control of the steering wheel due to wearing tefillin.

However, after a formal review, authorities determined the ticket should never have been issued. The reversal came after Ben-Gvir demanded clarification from police regarding the circumstances of the fine. The investigation revealed that the officers involved were volunteer personnel and that the citation was issued in an unprofessional manner that failed to meet required enforcement standards. Following consultation with the Head of the Traffic Division, the fine was immediately voided.

Attorney Eilon Oron explained that while tefillin could theoretically interfere with driving depending on how they are worn, this situation required discretion, not punishment.

He noted that if the driver had not already put on the tefillin before beginning his trip, and was actively distracted, or if one was holding a siddur obstructing his vision, then the situation becomes legally questionable.

“In this case,” Oron said, “how is this different from someone driving in a Purim costume, as long as it doesn’t impair visibility?”He added that at most, the officer could have issued a warning rather than a steep fine.