Court convicts two members of Petah Tikvah neo-Nazi cell

[bemildred]

Two members of a youth-led neo-Nazi cell that had been operating in Petah Tikvah were convicted on Monday at the Tel Aviv District Court.

The group's leader, Arik Bunyatov, 20, and a minor from Holon were convicted of a string of racially-motivated violent crimes.

The two signed a plea bargain deal with the prosecution. Buniatov will likely serve between four to seven and a half years in jail and the minor may be imprisoned for up to two and a half years. Both suspects were convicted of possessing and publishing racist materials, incitement and contacts geared toward criminal activity. Bunyatov was convicted of assault and threats, while the minor was convicted of illegally possession a weapon.

The police investigation into the alleged neo-Nazi cell began a year ago, following two incidents of vandalism against Petah Tikva synagogues.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/980970.html

[rockymountaindem]

1. There should be a head-exploding smiley

because this still blows my mind. I know it shouldn't. I know that plenty of non-Jewish Soviets, some of whom were/are probably anti-Semites, managed to claim Jewish ancestry and get into Israel as a means of leaving their homeland. But the idea of being a neo-Nazi in Israel still strikes me as exceptionally dumb. Firstly, you're setting yourself squarely against the overwhelming majority of your neighbors in the most offensive and visible way. Secondly, you're basically choosing to stay in a place full of people you hate when it would be possible, at least, to either go back to the former FSU or move on to some third country where you won't be surrounded by Jews.

It's like a Klansman planting his flag in Harlem and then being surprised when he gets in trouble with his neighbors :crazy:

[azurnoir]

2. I think judging from their ages

these kids were either born in Israel or moved there as babies, perhaps their parents were "silent antisemites" however they choose a disturbing way to act on what it was they were acting on be it antisemitism or something else. However they do deserve the prison sentences they got.

[LeftishBrit]

3. Neo-Nazis in Tel Aviv? Now I've seen everything

Anyway they sound like truly disgusting people, and I'm glad they are being punished.

[bemildred]

4. 8 Jerusalem youths arrested for allegedly stabbing 2 Israeli Arabs

Eight youths from Jerusalem were arrested Tuesday on suspicion they assaulted and stabbed two Israeli Arabs, residents of the Shuafat refugee camp, Army Radio reported.

The assault occurred on the eve of Memorial Day for Israel's Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism near the entrance to the Pisgat Ze'ev shopping mall.

One of the victims sustained moderate wounds and his friend did not require any medical care. According to Army Radio, the eight suspects said during police questioning that the assault was part of efforts to rid the Pisgat Ze'ev neighborhood of Arabs. The suspects said the neighborhood had been overrun by Arabs who were harassing Jewish girls and causing a ruckus.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/981343.html

[msmcghee]

5. This has something to do with Neo-Nazis? n/t

[bemildred]

6. I'll bet you could figure it out if you really wanted to. nt

[LeftishBrit]

7. There are young racist thugs in lots of places..

and Israel is certainly no exception.

However, it is not usual for Israelis, even those who are young racist thugs, to support the Nazis; which makes the OP particularly startling.

[bemildred]

8. Yes, and they don't think much about what they are up to either.

The fact that the "Nazi" types were doing what they were where they were is a sign of how little thought is involved. The main motive is to make a fuss and rebel, puff up ones ego.

[msmcghee]

9. It's good to know that we have experts on . .

. . the real motivations of neo-nazi thugs here in this forum.