A man who flew a plane carrying Israeli tourists on a diplomatic mission to Britain has told a court that he is sorry.
The court heard that Mr David Tzabar and his brother, Yoav, were due to board a flight from Israel to the UK on October 26.
They arrived at the airport in the UK and were questioned by police at the Gatwick Airport in central London.
Mr Tzabiar said he had been in touch with his brother’s wife and that they had discussed plans to go to the US.
“I’m very sorry for the hurt caused by the actions of the British authorities, because I don’t understand why I was targeted, he told the High Court in London.
He added: “I was targeted for my religious beliefs and that’s why I’m sorry.”
Mr David TZabar said that his family’s religious beliefs had nothing to do with the incident and that he would not be returning to Israel.
He said that while he was in Israel, he had read about the killing of three Palestinian men by Israeli security forces, and that it had made him think “that the occupation is justified”.
Mr David said he would like to visit the West Bank but would not take part in any demonstrations.
His brother said that the family had already travelled to the United States, and had been asked to leave the country.”
I hope we will come back to Israel and see the land and see how it’s changed,” he said.
Tzabiars lawyer, Shai Kagan, told the court that his client would plead guilty to two charges of inciting hatred.
While his lawyer said he was satisfied the men were not motivated by hatred of Israel, the court heard he was concerned for their safety.
It is not the first time that Israelis have been targeted by British authorities.
In September, a man was killed in the West Midlands when he was hit by a police van as he tried to stop a man from breaking into a house.
Israel has been targeted before in the past, with dozens of Israelis killed by Palestinians in clashes with Israeli security force in the occupied West Bank in the last few years.
