Kahane Files Countersuit Against Kansas Man over Scuffle Last Year

Rabbi Meir Kahane, wanted by Johnson County, Kan. police to answer disorderly conduct charges, has filed a countersuit for “assault, battery and outrageous conduct” arising from a scuffle with a Palestinian Arab, Mousa Shukair, during an appearance by Kahane at the Doubletree Hotel in Overland Park, Kan., last November 18.

Kahane, leader of the Kach Party in Israel, is a member of the Knesset. His attorney, Michael Clayman, responded last month to a civil lawsuit brought against Kahane in May in Johnson County District Court. He filed the countersuit at the same time, The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle reported.

Clayman told The Chronicle that the counterclaim was identical to the assault charges brought against Kahane by Shukair, a member of the Palestinian Human Rights Coalition, who is seeking damages in excess of $10,000.

According to Clayman, the next step in the civil suit involves pre-trial discovery that may include taking depositions from Kahane and others. This could necessitate Kahane’s return to the U.S. If he enters Johnson County he would face penalties of up to six months in jail and a $500 fine for failure to appear in Overland Park Municipal Court in May on a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct stemming from the November 18 incident.

Karen Arnold-Burger, assistant city attorney for Overland Park, said if Kahane appeared a municipal warrant would be served on him and he would be taken to the county jail and held on $750 bail. Clayman, whose fees are being paid by Kach International, Kahane’s political organization, said he would proceed with the countersuit unless the case is settled out of court. He said there was no indication at this time of a settlement. The Chronicle reported.