A woman in Indianapolis was arrested on Friday night after driving her car into a building that she mistook for a Jewish school.
However, it turned out to be a branch of the Black Hebrew Israelites, an antisemitic hate group. Ruba Almaghtheh, 34, was taken into custody on a preliminary charge of criminal recklessness for her alleged actions. The incident occurred at the Israelite School of Universal and Practical Knowledge, where several adults and children were present at the time.
According to FOX59, the police were called to the scene around 11:30 pm on Friday to investigate a possible hate crime. Almaghtheh informed the officers that she had been watching news coverage of Israel's conflict with Hamas terrorists and decided to target the "Israel school" due to her offense at the "Hebrew Israelite" symbol displayed on the building's facade. Notably, the structure is adorned with the Star of David.
During the encounter with law enforcement, Almaghtheh made references to "her people back in Palestine" and admitted to intentionally committing the act. Detectives also reported that she confessed to the "hate crime" during a phone call with a family member.
The Israelite School of Universal and Practical Knowledge is classified by the Anti-Defamation League as an "extreme and antisemitic" sect of the Black Hebrew Israelites, a well-known antisemitic hate group.
Almaghtheh is scheduled to make her initial court appearance on Wednesday.
In response to the incident, the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis released a statement on Sunday night emphasizing the importance of community safety and security. They stated that while a Jewish facility was not the intended target, the incident serves as a reminder to maintain security protocols, remain vigilant, and promptly report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities.
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