Jewish man indicted for attacking Israeli-Arab janitors

Indictment says victims targeted simply "because they were Arabs."

By YONAH JEREMY BOB
Updated: OCTOBER 12, 2015 01:38
Man in handcuffs - illustrative (photo credit: INGIMAGE / ASAP)
Man in handcuffs - illustrative
(photo credit: INGIMAGE / ASAP)
The Jerusalem District Attorney’s Office on Sunday filed an indictment against Aharon Azulai for a race-motivated attack on two Israeli-Arab workers.
The indictment said Azulai, 35, attacked the workers near David’s Tomb last week “because they were Arabs and with no provocation from them.” He allegedly pushed Taysar Abu Ramuz to the ground and slashed his elbow with a knife, and pushed Muhammad Salima while yelling, “Death to Arabs, get out of here.”
Policeman Alexander Isacson stopped Azulai and asked him to identify himself, according to the indictment, which was filed with the Jerusalem District Court.
Azulai initially told Isacson he did not have an identity card and did not give his name.
Later, during his initial interrogation and first court hearing, he provided a false name.
The full list of charges approved by Attorney-General Yehuda Weinstein also included a race-motivated attack that caused serious injury, impersonating another individual and obstruction of justice.
The prosecution requested that Azulai be detained until the end of his trial.