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Stand your ground: Israeli acquitted of assault on anti-settlement activists caught on camera | |
(about 1 month later) | |
Far right Israeli activist Benzi Gopstein was acquitted Sunday for his 2008 “beat down” on left-wing activists in Hebron, even though it was caught on video and went viral. | Far right Israeli activist Benzi Gopstein was acquitted Sunday for his 2008 “beat down” on left-wing activists in Hebron, even though it was caught on video and went viral. |
In a verdict that echoed George Zimmerman’s “stand your ground” case in Florida in which African-American teenager Trayvon Martin was killed, the judge agreed with Gopstein that he acted in self-defense, insisting the video proved his argument. | In a verdict that echoed George Zimmerman’s “stand your ground” case in Florida in which African-American teenager Trayvon Martin was killed, the judge agreed with Gopstein that he acted in self-defense, insisting the video proved his argument. |
Gopstein, director of Israeli Jewish “anti-assimilation” group Lehava, welcomed the decision, claiming he was defending himself when he grabbed an activist by the throat after “Palestinians and anarchists” entered the illegal settlement Kiryat Arba. He added: "In hindsight, I should've beaten them harder, but maybe there'll be other chances." | Gopstein, director of Israeli Jewish “anti-assimilation” group Lehava, welcomed the decision, claiming he was defending himself when he grabbed an activist by the throat after “Palestinians and anarchists” entered the illegal settlement Kiryat Arba. He added: "In hindsight, I should've beaten them harder, but maybe there'll be other chances." |
Jerusalem Magistrate's Court Judge Dov Pollock ruled "the circumstances of the incident justify an acquittal. We must examine whether the incident in question constitutes an assault or self defense." | Jerusalem Magistrate's Court Judge Dov Pollock ruled "the circumstances of the incident justify an acquittal. We must examine whether the incident in question constitutes an assault or self defense." |
He added that Gopstein “saw a number of people trying to climb over the fence into the neighborhood where he resides and thought they were terrorists.” | He added that Gopstein “saw a number of people trying to climb over the fence into the neighborhood where he resides and thought they were terrorists.” |
READ MORE: Israel connects BDS with terrorism while cracking down on German banks | READ MORE: Israel connects BDS with terrorism while cracking down on German banks |
The assault happened in August 2008 when anti-Apartheid activists along with local residents, led by controversial campaigner Ezra Nawi, climbed the fence into the Palestinian territory illegally occupied by Israel since 1968. | The assault happened in August 2008 when anti-Apartheid activists along with local residents, led by controversial campaigner Ezra Nawi, climbed the fence into the Palestinian territory illegally occupied by Israel since 1968. |
Gopstein can also be seen pushing Nawi in the back on the video as he faces away from him while using his phone. | Gopstein can also be seen pushing Nawi in the back on the video as he faces away from him while using his phone. |
The judge also excused Gopstein for a swear word that he called Nawi during the exchange, saying it "may not be worthy of being spoken, but does not constitute a threat, and is protected under the freedom of expression given to any man." | The judge also excused Gopstein for a swear word that he called Nawi during the exchange, saying it "may not be worthy of being spoken, but does not constitute a threat, and is protected under the freedom of expression given to any man." |
Gopstein’s group Lehava is still under “investigation” by Israeli authorities into alleged incitement after he wrote an article last year calling Christians “vampires” who should be expelled from the Holy Land. | Gopstein’s group Lehava is still under “investigation” by Israeli authorities into alleged incitement after he wrote an article last year calling Christians “vampires” who should be expelled from the Holy Land. |
His group takes a strong stand against any kind of relations between Jews and non-Jews, both economically and romantically, and they set up a hotline in 2013 where bigots can snitch on those dating outside their tribe. | His group takes a strong stand against any kind of relations between Jews and non-Jews, both economically and romantically, and they set up a hotline in 2013 where bigots can snitch on those dating outside their tribe. |
Nawi brought the charges against Gopstein after the video of the assault appeared on an investigative program on Israel's Channel 2 a year ago, before he was arrested while trying to leave the country in January and gagged by a court order. | Nawi brought the charges against Gopstein after the video of the assault appeared on an investigative program on Israel's Channel 2 a year ago, before he was arrested while trying to leave the country in January and gagged by a court order. |
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