Judge blasts ‘complicated’ Jewish slur claim
A man who mimicked the actions of alleged terrorists during the Bondi attack has claimed interpreting Jewish slurs is “complicated” due to the actions of the Israeli government.
Zayne Jason William McMillan, 23, was seen in January pretending to hold a long-armed rifle at the scene of the mass shooting in Bondi a month earlier.
The First Nations man was heard shouting “Fuck the Jews” before intimidating two Jewish men in front of their children during a 20-minute racist tirade.
He was sentenced to a year in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of offensive language and two counts of intimidation.
McMillan’s lawyer, Stephen Alexander, said in his objection on Thursday, in an attempt to reduce this sentence, at the hearing that his client had discussed Palestine with a Jewish man before the incident:
“You steal land and kill women and children, just like the white man did to us,” the 23-year-old Koori man allegedly said, before being told he had no idea what he was talking about. he said.
Acting District Court Judge Antony Townsden heard McMillan told prison officers he was the victim of aggression and was justified in his actions.
Mr Alexander said his client had expressed genuine remorse for his out-of-control speech, which could have been seen as extremely offensive and harmful.
However, the lawyer’s claims that the issue was “complex” and in the “gray area” were completely rejected.
“I don’t think it’s complicated,” Judge Townsden said.
The judge said McMillan was trying to blame a Sydney resident for the actions of a government half a world away.
“This is not only anti-Semitic by every measure, but also quite cowardly,” he said.
Crown prosecutor Joseph Gilbert said the court should condemn someone who has been subjected to racism choosing to shift it to another race.
He argued that the first sentence should be upheld.
Judge Townsden agreed.
He dismissed the appeal, saying McMillan’s “deeply concerning” actions occurred while he was on parole for separate stalking and intimidation offences.
The judge said the 23-year-old’s path to rehabilitation would be better behind bars.
His nine-month non-parole period for the Bondi incident will expire in November.
