(JTA) — A Jewish man admitted to beating British lawmaker George Galloway at a public event in London.
Neil Masterson, 39, acknowledged in Isleworth Crown Court on Friday the Aug. 29 assault that left Galloway with a broken rib and a broken jaw, requiring him to spend a night in the hospital.
Earlier that month, Galloway had called for his constituency to be “declared an Israel-free zone” in reaction to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
A charge against Masterson of religiously aggravated assault was dropped due to a lack of evidence. Masterson is a convert to Judaism, the London-based Jewish Chronicle reported.
Masterson, who works as a caregiver, reportedly shouted about the Holocaust before physically assaulting the Respect party lawmaker outside the event in west London.
Discrimination on the basis of nationality or race is illegal in Britain, as is inciting to hatred.
Masterson will remain in police custody until he is sentenced next month.
