Update: Charges dropped against man with guns at Palestine march

UPDATE: 5 August, 2014, 11am – The North eastern tribune has received reports that charges against the man were dropped.

A journalist is working on getting comment from the police.

However, social networking site, Twitter, was abuzz this morning with users debating the nationality of the man as well as his intentions.

One such tweet was by a pro-Palestinian user who questioned why police had not clarified the man’s nationality.

The tweet read, “Could police confirm that the man was not a Palestinian national and that the charges are withdrawn.” Another user tweeted, “He was not a Palestinian national and the charges related to firearm negligence not that it was unlicensed.” .

More details will follow shortly.

Initial report, 4 August 2014, 1:30pm – According to police, the man who was nabbed for possession of an unlicensed firearm, was caught outside the golf club where Israeli supporters had gathered.

He also had in his possession three knives, a revolver and a shotgun.

The South African Zionist Federation hosted a march on the day in support of Israel amid the ongoing conflict between the country and Palestine’s Islamist group, Hamas.

The protest was attended by South African Jewry, church leaders and political leaders.

Chairperson of the International Christian Embassy in Israel, Luba Mayekiso said Israel had a moral obligation to defend itself and its citizens against any attacks from Hamas. He said, “The existence of Israel within safe and secure borders should not be viewed as a privilege, but as a right.”

Chief rabbi Warren Goldstein called on South Africans to stand as an example to the world on tolerance, love and peaceful resolution to long-standing conflict and tension.

Meanwhile, members of the public took to social networking website, Twitter in response to the man’s arrest.

One of the tweets read, “Government should be more pro Palestinian. [We] almost had a terror attack on SA soil.”

Another user shared the same sentiment and wrote, “Good work [by the police] on arresting him. I’m glad no one got injured or killed.”

Although many congratulated the police for arresting the man, others felt he was defending the rights of Palestinians.

This was evident from a tweet that read, “… But what do people have to say about the barbaric killing of innocent children in Palestine? What have they done? This is so not fair.”

Another user said, “Israel’s right to security does not justify [the] killing [of] children.”

It was not clear when the suspect would be appearing in court.

More details to follow.

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