Israeli police uncover neo-Nazi cell
Eight 'neo-Nazis' arrested in Israel
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Sunday, 09, Sep 2007 08:21
An alleged neo-Nazi cell of Israeli citizens has been uncovered by police in Jerusalem.
The arrest of eight males represents the largest police operation targeting neo-Nazis in Israel's 60-year history.
Created in the aftermath of the Nazi Holocaust in which an estimated six million Jews died, Israel is stunned by the reported far-right activities of eight of its own citizens; who are all nominally Jews.
The group's alleged targets included foreign workers from Asia, Jews wearing skull caps, drug addicts and gays.
All the suspects are said to be from the former Soviet Union, from which an estimated one million people immigrated to Israel following its collapse in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Under Israeli law, any individual with a Jewish parent or grandparent can claim Israeli citizenship.
Major Revital Almog, who led the police case, told Israel army radio that the level of violence allegedly exhibited by the eight males, aged between 16 and 21, was "outrageous".
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld elaborated that the first suspect was arrested in July of this year, with the last police arrest coming on September 6th.
The news of the arrests was only broken today after a court order was lifted.
"This is the first time that we've arrested such a large number of individuals who are part of an organised neo-Nazi group," Mr Rosenfeld said.
Police say the cell targeted people "too weak to complain" and claim that pictures of Adolf Hitler and Nazi uniforms were discovered in its possession, as well as weapons ranging from explosives to spiked balls.
The cell's members are also accused of documenting their supposed attacks on camera, with one picture showing an alleged neo-Nazi brandishing an Israeli army rifle and making a Nazi salute.
The eight suspects will appear in court later today to face anticipated Holocaust denying charges.