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Austrians Face Jail Time for Waving Israeli Flag

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Three pro-Israel activists face fines and jail for waving an Israeli flag at an anti-Israel rally in Vienna.
 
Austrian police are seeking a €100 fine or two days in jail for each of the protestors who showed their support for Israel at a December 8 anti-Israel rally that featured anti-Semitic slogans and death threats against Jews.
 
The charge against them states the activists "showed an Israeli flag at a rally in an extremely provocative way and manner that was visible for participants at the rally and thereby produced considerable offense and provocation among the Palestinian protesters."
 
Anti-Israel protestors were reportedly yelling the Muslim battle cry to massacre Jews: "Jews, remember Khaybar, the army of Muhammad is returning," and "Death to Israel."
 
When the three pro-Israel counter-demonstrators unfurled the Israeli flag, a scuffle broke out with Palestinian demonstrators.  Police reportedly confiscated the Israel flag but permitted anti-Israel protestors to wave Palestinian and Turkish flags.
 
One of the activists, identified as "Matthias F." by Vice News, said the charge against them is "unbelievable. We simply held a flag." He said the men plan to appeal the penalty.
 
"It can't be that anti-Semitic slogans can be hollered and go unpunished while showing an Israeli flag is reason to be fined."

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About The Author

Dale
Hurd

Since joining CBN News, Dale has reported extensively from Western Europe, as well as China, Russia, and Central and South America. Dale also covered China's opening to capitalism in the early 1990s, as well as the Yugoslav Civil War. CBN News awarded him its Command Performance Award for his reporting from Moscow and Sarajevo. Since 9/11, Dale has reported extensively on various aspects of the global war on terror in the United States and Europe. Follow Dale on Twitter @dalehurd and "like" him at Facebook.com/DaleHurdNews.