Right-wing activist convicted of supporting terror group
By: Israel Insider staff
Published: June 25, 2007
Right-wing activist Itamar Ben-Gvir was convicted by the Jerusalem Magistrates Court Monday of supporting a terrorist group and inciting racism.
The court found Ben-Gvir guilty of carrying a sign with the two statements: "Expel the Arab enemy," and "Rabbi Kahane was right, the Arab MKs are the fifth column."
For the first statement he was charged with incitement of racism, and for the second, support of a terrorist organization.
Judge Lee Ran wrote in his verdict: "I believe an assertion that the defendant's words constituted support of a terror organization may place freedom of expression at the top of a slippery slope in which expressions on the margin of legitimate discourse could be banned."
Ben-Gvir promised to appeal the verdict, and responded to the ruling by saying "The same legal system that gave freedom of expression to Bishara and Arab poets is convicting me. Again it is proven that part of Israel's judges are two-faced leftists."
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