The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court has decided to acquire a settler who gave police officers the Nazi salute while chanting "Heil Sharon" during the disengagement from the Gaza Strip in 2005, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Friday.
The accused, Hebron resident Oren Zar, was charged with giving the Nazi salute to two police officers. He was brought to court on charges of insulting a public official.
However, Zar's attorney, Vadim Shuv, argued that the accused gave the Nazi salute and chanted "Heil Sharon" regularly throughout the disengagement period, and had no intention of insulting the police officers involved in the case.
Zar's wife and acquaintances supported his claim in court, testifying that during the pullout from the Gaza Strip he would "greet" them with a Nazi salute and a "Heil Sharon" chant every morning.
Justice Hagit Mak-Kalmanovich accepted the claim and fully acquitted Zar of any wrongdoing.
Michal Goldberg contributed to the story