A Washington, D.C. court has ordered anti-Israel activists Hazami Barmada and Atefeh Rokhvand to pay Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld $182,000 after they falsely accused him of stalking. The ruling came after the pair attempted to secure a restraining order against the rabbi, who had been praying peacefully at the Israeli embassy, a site they had been protesting for months.
The case, decided by Judge John McCabe in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, highlighted the activists’ misuse of the legal system. Barmada, who has held senior positions at the United Nations and is currently a faculty member at George Washington University, and Rokhvand, founder of the group Teachers Against Genocide, claimed that Rabbi Herzfeld’s actions constituted stalking. However, video evidence contradicted their claims, showing the rabbi engaged only in prayer while Barmada mocked him through a megaphone. The judge noted that there was no evidence to support the activists’ allegations that the rabbi had threatened or followed them.
The court’s ruling emphasized that the rabbi’s presence at the embassy was not intended to intimidate the activists, as he was merely there to pray. Judge McCabe stated, "There is no evidence that Respondent ever threatened the Petitioners," and pointed out that the activists were far more confrontational than the rabbi. The judge’s decision to award legal fees under the anti-SLAPP Act reflects a commitment to protect free speech in political and public policy debates.
Following the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack, Barmada and Rokhvand escalated their protests, which included demonstrations outside the home of former Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Their actions reportedly included throwing fake blood at vehicles entering or leaving Blinken’s residence. The court noted that while the activists claimed to be intimidated by the rabbi’s presence, they themselves engaged in provocative behavior, including offensive remarks directed at him.
The judge also addressed specific incidents cited by the activists. On one occasion, Barmada claimed the rabbi was stalking them, but the evidence showed he was merely praying. In another instance, Barmada’s accusations were undermined by video footage that depicted her as unbothered and even mocking the rabbi’s presence. Furthermore, Rokhvand’s claim that the rabbi rummaged through her belongings was dismissed as he was only directing a companion to take photographs of protest-related items.
Rabbi Herzfeld has also filed a separate civil lawsuit against Barmada and Rokhvand, alleging that their protest tactics, which included blasting sirens and loud noises, caused him hearing damage. The court’s ruling not only vindicated the rabbi but also underscored the importance of protecting individuals from frivolous legal actions aimed at silencing dissenting voices.
In response to the ruling, Barmada and Rokhvand expressed their shock at the court’s findings and indicated plans to appeal. They criticized the awarded legal fees as excessive and claimed that their protests were a form of protected speech, despite the judge’s ruling that their actions were not justified under the circumstances.
This case highlights ongoing tensions surrounding protests related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as the legal ramifications of accusations made in the heat of political activism.