Popular pro-Palestine activist appears in Australia court, vows to expose Israel's brutalities

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) – A popular pro-Palestine activist in Australia, who was arrested last month, appeared in court in Melbourne on Tuesday with his supporters outside, saying he will fight the charges and that legal grounds are the best way to expose Israeli atrocities.

According to the Australian daily, Hash Tayeh was charged with four counts of using insulting words under Section 17(1) of the Summary Offences Act, which prohibits profane, indecent, or obscene language, after allegedly saying "all Zionists are terrorists" at pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

Tayeh, the founder of a well-known Melbourne burger chain, is represented by Greg Barns, who has previously represented Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks.

The case has been postponed until June 24, according to the activist.

Tayeh supporters gathered outside the Melbourne Magistrate's Court during the hearing, wearing Palestinian keffiyehs around their shoulders and necks.

The police handcuffed a 79-year-old man after he chanted "all Zionists are terrorists," causing him to bleed. However, he was later released without being arrested.

Tayeh told reporters outside the court that the trial provided him with a powerful platform to expose the truth and show the world the "ugly face of the Zionist ideology and the suffering it has caused."

"We will not cower. We will not be intimidated. We must win this case, and by the will of God, we will win this case," he was quoted by The Australian newspaper as saying.

Tayeh appeared before Magistrate Tara Hartnett for a brief hearing, during which it was revealed that Victoria Police are planning to file additional charges against him.

If the allegations are proven, Tayeh faces two months in prison for the first offense, three months for the second, and six months for the third or more.

"Today, Australia confirmed what so many of us already knew: justice is not real, law is not blind, and the police serve the highest bidder-not the people. For months, I have spoken out about the blatant corruption, the systemic abuse of power, and the targeted harassment I have endured at the hands of authorities," said Tayeh in a post on Instagram.

"Judaism and Zionism are not the same. I will not allow power- hungry lobbies and racist individuals who support terrorism to hide behind the beautiful, rich faith of Judaism. You do NOT get to commit genocide, support genocide, and then hide behind the Holocaust. You do NOT get to weaponize history to justify war crimes. Every life matters. Every life is equal," he added.