NSW judge says anti-Israel graffiti case went 'haywire' when vandalism was labeled antisemitic

Mohommed Farhat, who admitted to spray-painting slogans …

Mohommed Farhat, who admitted to spray-painting slogans and setting a car ablaze in Woollahra, has been behind bars for nearly two years. His guilty plea covered 15 charges related to property damage, including daubing 'Fuk Israel' on vehicles in Sydney's eastern suburbs and torching another car in late 2024.

This week, New South Wales Supreme Court Justice Desmond Fagan said the case had gone 'haywire' after police, lower courts, and state agencies incorrectly characterized Farhat's actions as antisemitic. That mislabeling, he argued, led to harsher treatment than warranted.

Justice Fagan's remarks came as he reviewed the case, suggesting that the original proceedings amounted to a 'miscarriage of justice.' He emphasized that while the vandalism was serious, the legal process had been skewed by an overzealous application of hate crime designations.

The ruling has sparked debate about how authorities

The ruling has sparked debate about how authorities handle incidents involving Israel-related graffiti and whether such labels are applied too broadly. Farhat's defense team welcomed the judge's assessment, calling it a step toward correcting the record.

For now, the case highlights broader concerns about judicial oversight and the risks of letting public sentiment influence legal outcomes. The full implications of Justice Fagan's comments are expected to unfold as further proceedings take place.