Jewish Miami man shoots two Israelis mistakenly believed to be Palestinians: A tale of HYPOCRISY and HATE
By willowt // 2025-02-20
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  • On a Saturday night, 27-year-old Mordechai Brafman, a Jewish man, mistakenly identified two Israeli tourists as Palestinians and shot at their vehicle, firing 17 shots and hitting one of them in the shoulder.
  • Brafman was apprehended at the scene and charged with two counts of attempted second-degree murder. During questioning, he admitted to his actions, though inaccurately stating he had killed both victims.
  • The Israeli victims, Ari Rabi and his father, initially believed the attack was motivated by antisemitism but later expressed a more conciliatory view, advocating for peace and condemning violence against anyone.
  • The shooting is part of a larger trend of increased tensions between Jewish and Arab communities following the Gaza war in October 2023. It highlights the double standards in media coverage and public outrage regarding violence against different groups.
  • The incident has led to calls for rigorous hate crime charges, emphasizing the need for unity and addressing the root causes of such violence to foster a more peaceful society.
A shocking incident of targeted violence occurred on the streets of Miami Beach on Saturday night, as 27-year-old Mordechai Brafman, a Jewish man, opened fire on two Israeli tourists, mistaking them for Palestinians. This bizarre and deeply ironic event has raised questions about the nature of anti-Arab sentiment and the double standards that often accompany discussions of violence and hate in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

A night of chaos and misidentification

At around 9:30 pm on Saturday, Brafman, a married plumber from Miami, was driving south on Pine Tree Drive when he allegedly spotted two individuals he believed to be Palestinians. According to the police report, Brafman executed a U-turn at 48th Street, stopped his vehicle, and then exited, remaining on the driver's side. As the Israeli victims, Ari Rabi and his father, drove past, Brafman fired 17 shots at their vehicle. Despite his intent, Brafman only managed to hit Rabi in the shoulder and graze his father's forearm. Brafman was apprehended at the scene and has been charged with two counts of attempted second-degree murder. When questioned by police, he spontaneously admitted to his actions, stating, "While I was driving my truck, I saw two Palestinians and shot and killed both." However, his claim of killing both victims was inaccurate, as both Israelis survived.

The victims' reaction and the irony of the situation

Ari Rabi, the victim who was shot in the shoulder, initially believed the attack was motivated by antisemitism. In a Facebook post that quickly went viral, Rabi wrote, "My father and I went through a murder attempt against an anti-Semitic background. They tried to murder us in the heart of Miami but the creator of the world is with us so he didn't go. I want to say thank you to everyone for their support it is not taken granted with Israel Live. Death to the Arabs." Rabi's post was a stark reminder of the deep-seated animosities that often fuel violence in the Middle East and, as this incident shows, can transcend international borders. When speaking to CBS News, however, Rabi struck a more conciliatory tone, stating, "A life shouldn't just be taken away from anyone. It doesn't matter who you are, what religion you are, or where you're from. People should just live in peace."

The broader context: Hate and hypocrisy

The incident in Miami Beach is part of a larger, troubling trend of rising tensions between Jewish and Arab communities, particularly following the outbreak of the Gaza war on October 7, 2023. The conflict, which saw the terrorist group Hamas launch a deadly attack on southern Israel, killing over 1,200 people and kidnapping 251 hostages, has exacerbated existing animosities and led to an increase in hate crimes and acts of violence. Nihad Awad, National Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), condemned the shooting and highlighted the hypocrisy at play. "It is deeply ironic and telling that both the alleged pro-Israel perpetrator and the pro-Israel victim in the Miami Beach shooting reportedly hold racist anti-Palestinian views," Awad said. "Policymakers in our nation should stop fomenting the anti-Palestinian hate that led to the genocide in Gaza and to hate crimes in America." The incident has also drawn attention to the disparity in media coverage and public outrage when it comes to violence against different groups. If a Palestinian-American had shot two Arabs in Miami, the incident would likely have been labeled as terrorism and would have received widespread condemnation. The fact that the perpetrator in this case is a Jewish American has led to a muted response, highlighting the double standards that often prevail in discussions of violence and hate.

A call for unity and accountability

The shooting has sparked calls for more rigorous hate crime charges. The Council on American-Islamic Relations' Florida chapter has urged federal hate crime charges, which would increase the severity of Brafman's offenses. Miami Beach Commissioner Alex Fernandez has also written to the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office, urging them to pursue hate crime charges to ensure justice is served to the fullest extent of the law. Brafman's attorney, Dustin Tischler, has attributed his client's actions to a severe mental health emergency, stating, "It is believed that his ability to make sound judgments was significantly compromised. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement officials and acknowledge the seriousness of the allegations. We are also committed to working with healthcare professionals to ensure Mr. Brafman receives the appropriate and necessary treatment." As the legal proceedings continue, the incident in Miami Beach serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of hate and the importance of fostering understanding and unity, especially in times of heightened tension. The international community, particularly policymakers and leaders, must address the root causes of such violence and work toward a more peaceful and inclusive society. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com MiamiHerald.com TimesofIsrael.com
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