Neo-Nazis in Israel

(Jerusalem) As odd as it seems, it's not illegal to hate Jews in Israel. The founding fathers and all subsequent leaders never thought there would be the need for such a law. Unfortunately, times change.

Israeli police announced on Sunday the arrest of a gang of alleged neo-Nazis, all immigrants from the former Soviet Union, accused of waging attacks on foreigners and religious Jews, in a case that has deeply shocked the Jewish state.

The eight men, aged 16 to 21 and including the suspected leader of the group, were arrested after a year-long investigation, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told AFP.

One of the members of the group has left the country and remains at large, he said, adding that the first suspect was arrested on July 23 and the last on September 6 when he returned to the country from a trip abroad.

A search of the suspects' home found Nazi uniforms, portraits of Adolf Hitler, weapons and explosives. Meanwhile, community organizations emphasized that the neo-Nazi youths from the former Soviet Union (FSU) were unusual.

"We know from our research that these kids suffer from frustration, a lack of integration into Israeli society ... some of their aggressions come out through these kinds of terrible things. [But] we're talking about a small minority whose families suffered from anti-Semitism in their own original countries," Hermon continued, explaining that there were over 50,000 active neo-Nazis in Russia and the Ukraine.

[ ... ]

The theme of social alienation was heard frequently throughout the day - from the lead suspect's mother, who said that her "son does not understand any language other than Russian," as well as from Immigration and Absorption Minister Ya'acov Edri, who issued a statement stressing that unlike the suspects, "the majority of immigrant youth are normal and are absorbed and integrated into the daily life of Israeli society."

Even so, many voices are calling for a change in Israeli law and the revocation of the youths' citizenship.

Eight of the suspected members of a Petah Tikva-based neo-Nazi group were brought to the Ramle Magistrate's Court for remand extensions Sunday. Knesset members expressed anger and began to discuss ways of closing legislative loopholes that do not prevent the existence of such groups.

The suspects, including alleged ringleader Eli "Eli the Nazi" Boanitov, were brought to court, protesting their innocence. The remands of the suspects were extended until Tuesday.

Boanitov's mother also said her son was a victim of persecution of Russian immigrants. Apparently, the mother believes her son is justified in being a neo-Nazi in Israel because he doesn't speak the language and he's a victim of persecution. Of course, that's a mother's job -- to love her son even when he's a neo-Nazi thug.

One last thought, I believe I've heard the same excuse from Hispanic gangs and criminals about not knowing the language and being persecuted. It must be in the international criminal defense handbook.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.