Israeli Arab has 'deception rape' sentence delayed Published duration 4 August 2010

image caption Kashur says he did not pretend to be Jewish

An Israeli Arab man jailed for rape because he was accused of pretending he a Jew has had his jail term delayed.

Sabbar Kashur, 30, was found guilty of "rape by deception" when he had consensual sex with an Israeli woman, and sentenced to 18 months in jail.

He has appealed against the sentence, and it has now been delayed, pending a high court decision.

Kashur is being held under house arrest, but the conditions have now been eased.

House arrest

According to the complaint filed by the woman, the two met in a Jerusalem street in 2008 and had sex that day.

When she discovered he was not Jewish, but an Arab, she went to the police.

Kashur was arrested and charged with rape and indecent assault, but the charges were later replaced by a different charge of "rape by deception".

But according to Kashur, he did not pretend to be Jewish.

He told reporters that he is known by friends and family by the nickname Dudu, which is more commonly used by Jews called David.

He was held under house arrest for two years prior to last month's trial.

Around 20% of Israel's population are of Arab descent.