A pro-Palestinian protestor has crashed her car into what she thought was a Jewish school - that was actually owned by an antisemitic hate group.
Ruba Almaghtheh, 34, smashed into the building in Indianapolis while several adults and children were inside on Friday night.
She had been reportedly incensed by a Star of David on the exterior of the building which, in fact, was owned by a sect of the Black Hebrew Israelites - a fringe religious movement that is completely distinct from Black Jews.
Police labeled Almaghtheh a "terrorist" and said she was arrested on a preliminary charge of criminal recklessness.
"Almaghtheh told officers she was watching news coverage of the Israel-#Hamas war on television and decided to plan an attack on the building because she was offended by the “Hebrew Israelite” symbol on the front of the building."https://t.co/Tkvz0fWEts
— Alberto Miguel Fernandez (@AlbertoMiguelF5) November 5, 2023
Police said she made reference to ‘her people back in Palestine’ and said "Yes, I did it on purpose."
Almaghtheh told officers she had been watching news coverage of the Israel-Hamas war and planned the attack because she was offended by the "Hebrew Israelite" symbol on the front of the building.
Police said Almaghtheh called it the "Israel school" and had passed by the building a couple times
Almaghtheh admitted to committing the "hate crime" during her courtesy phone call with a family member, police said.
The building is used by the Israelite School of Universal and Practical Knowledge which has been labeled an antisemitic hate group.
The Anti-Defamation League defines it as an "extreme and antisemitic" sect of the Black Hebrew Israelites.
The Black Hebrew Israelites, who have appropriated the Star of David, believe that people of colour are the true children of Israel. Followers identify specifically with the Biblical Israelites and consider Judaism, Christianity and Islam to be false religions.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis said: "Although a Jewish facility was not targeted, solely due to ironic misidentification, this is yet another reminder to maintain security protocols, remain vigilant of suspicious activity and to (report promptly) to the appropriate authorities."
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