Israeli man gets diversion, avoids jail time for swinging pipe at pro-Palestinian UCLA protesters

A 19‑year‑old named Edan On, accused by prosecutors of being part of a chaotic mob that attacked a pro‑Palestinian encampment on the UCLA campus last year, was granted a diversion agreement on Monday. As a result, he will evade incarceration.

The charge against him was misdemeanor assault, arising from an incident in May 2024 in which he allegedly swung a pipe at individuals at the encampment.

During a brief hearing at the Airport Courthouse, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Liliana Gonzalez decided to allow diversion. In her reasoning, she cited several mitigating factors: On’s youth, the absence of any criminal record, and his full‑time employment. Despite objections from city attorney prosecutors, she concluded these considerations justified the lighter path.

Notably, On himself did not appear in court. In fact, since his charging in April, he has not shown up for any court appearances. Before the city attorney formally filed the misdemeanor battery charges, an independent journalist named Eric Levai published images suggesting that On may have left the country and enlisted in the Israeli Defense Forces. On’s lawyer, Kevin Gres, declined to comment on those reports or confirm whether his client joined the IDF. The IDF has made no public comment in response.

Much of the negotiation over the diversion deal occurred privately in Judge Gonzalez’s chambers, away from public view. Gres argued in court documents that confidentiality was necessary because On had received death threats, making certain details too dangerous to discuss openly.

Under the terms of his diversion, On must adhere to several conditions: he is barred from returning to the UCLA campus, he must complete 50 hours of community service, and he is required to undergo anti‑bias training. Outside the courtroom, Gres said, “My client is young and he’s looking to put this behind him.”

The city attorney’s office did not immediately return requests for comment.

Judge Gonzalez’s justification for diversion echoed a prior decision by the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office, which last year declined to pursue felony assault charges in the case. Records show prosecutors had noted that the alleged victims suffered only minor injuries — a point that seems to have influenced both the DA’s earlier filing decision and the judge’s diversion ruling.

In court filings submitted in support of diversion, Gres characterized the encampment as “pro‑Hamas” and noted that On had been deeply affected by the terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023 (when Hamas carried out an assault that led to nearly 1,200 Israelis killed and many more taken hostage). He asserted that On was Israeli, Jewish, and emotionally invested in global politics and events. Gres claimed On has friends and family engaged in the conflict and had lost acquaintances on October 7.

This ruling appears to resolve what remained of the criminal side of the UCLA encampment attacks. In the broader wave of protests and counterprotests at both UCLA and USC last year, roughly 350 individuals were arrested, but the city attorney’s office declined to pursue charges in nearly all cases.

Another man accused of assaulting pro‑Palestinian demonstrators and hurling racial slurs was also granted diversion in July. Meanwhile, misdemeanor proceedings against one pro‑Palestinian protester remain unresolved, according to court documents.

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times