Man indicted for stoning Egyptian consulate in Eilat

Makmil threw stones at Egyptian flag hanging outside consulate shouting curses; court requests suspect remain in custody during trial.

By JOANNA PARASZCZUK
Egyptian flag 311 (R) (photo credit: Reuters)
Egyptian flag 311 (R)
(photo credit: Reuters)
The Southern District State Attorney’s Office filed an indictment on Thursday against a man arrested on Sunday for throwing stones at the Egyptian Consulate in Eilat.
According to the indictment, filed in the Beersheba Magistrate’s Court, David Makmil hurled stones at an Egyptian flag hanging outside the consulate, while shouting curses.
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Two consular employees witnessed as Makmil drove up to the consulate building, got out of his car and started to throw stones at the building.
Makmil asked a consular employee who confronted him whether the building was indeed the Egyptian embassy. Having been informed that it was, Makmil then threw two more stones at the Egyptian flag hanging from the building.
“The defendant took action to reduce, destroy or harm the public flag or symbol of a friendly country, in order to express hatred or contempt for that state,” the indictment said. “In addition, the defendant willfully and unlawfully attempted to destroy or harm the consulate building.”
The State Attorney’s Office also requested on Thursday that Makmil, who was arrested and remanded after the events on Sunday, remain in custody for the duration of the proceedings against him.