PERTH, Australia (WJC) — The trial of a man who posted a video on the internet accusing Judaism of being a “religion of racism, hate, homicide and ethnic cleansing” has begun. Brendon Lee O’Connell, 38, who is defending himself, described the proceedings at the Perth District Court as a “kangaroo court” and told Judge Henry Wisbey he should be facing charges of treason. Two of O’Connell’s supporters had to be removed from court at the judge’s request. O’Connell is facing seven racial hatred charges relating to a 2009 altercation with two Jewish students in a supermarket where a Friends of Palestine protest was being staged against the sale of Israeli fruit.
On the video posted on the YouTube platform, O’Connell is recorded as saying that “You have a religion of racism, hate, homicide and ethnic cleansing” before calling one of the Jewish students a “racist Jew”. He said: “You are a racist, homicidal maniac”, adding: “I will put you in the camps with the rest of them.” Racial vilification laws in the state of Western Australia were enacted in 2005. The maximum penalty for the offense is 14 years in prison or fines of up to US$ 18,000.
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Preceding provided by World Jewish Congress