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Two Palestinians, 19 and 24, face up to 15 years in prison for illegal weapons

They were admitted to the country on nonimmigrant visas, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Gavel, Court, Judge
Gavel. Credit: Katrin Bolovtsova/Pexels.

Two Palestinians, Mohammed Aburidi and Tareq Aburidi—24 and 19, respectively—face up to 15 years in federal prison for illegally possessing weapons and ammunition as aliens, according to indictments that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida unsealed on Tuesday.

The two entered the country on nonimmigrant visas, the U.S. Justice Department stated.

“There are very sad, bad actors who go about their frustrations in the wrong ways, but we can’t let that keep us down,” Melissa Levy of Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center told JNS.
Oleksiy Tsyapalo’s lawyer told the court that his client wasn’t dangerous and that “as a Jewish man, standing right next to him, I do not feel any threat from my client.”
In an interview with JNS, the World Zionist Organization president reflects on the loss of his son, rising anti-Zionism and the need for Jewish unity.
The National Jewish Advocacy Center argued that evidence of Jewish students hiding their identities would be viewed differently if they belonged to another protected group.
“We’re continuing to support critical security enhancements to help ensure that community members can safely gather, worship, and access services without fear,” the state said.
Anas Said faces up to 15 years in prison and $500,000 in fines for concealing material support to a foreign terrorist organization and making false statements.