US Man Claiming Ties to Hamas Arrested on Multiple Hate Crime Charges

Mohamad Hamad, a dual citizen of the US and Lebanon, has been arrested alongside another individual in connection with hate crime charges following the vandalism of Jewish buildings in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this past July. The charges come after a criminal complaint revealed that Hamad, who is also a member of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, purchased and tested explosive materials with the intent to cause harm.

According to the complaint, Hamad identified himself as a “Hamas operative,” and his extremist views were highlighted through various communications. He allegedly expressed a desire to die as a martyr for Islam, sharing this sentiment with an FBI informant via the encrypted messaging app Signal. One of the concerning messages included a photo of him wearing a green headband adorned with the Hamas logo, alongside a sweatshirt that bore the phrase, “Respect existence or expect resistance.”

Hamad’s co-defendant, Talya Lubit, is accused of spray-painting pro-Hamas graffiti on a synagogue and a Jewish community center. In her communications, she referred to Jews as “enemies” and advocated for her local council to pass a resolution calling for a cease-fire against Israel. 

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Jeremy Kazzaz, executive director of the Beacon Coalition, expressed alarm over the apparent rise of anti-Israel sentiment within the Democratic Party. He noted, “In Pittsburgh, we've seen an infiltration of the Democratic Party by anti-Israel extremists who frequently target the Jewish community.” This is particularly concerning in light of recent incidents of violence directed at Jewish students at the University of Pittsburgh during the current academic semester.

The complaint further outlined that Hamad had made plans for a practice run involving an explosion, showing enthusiasm for detonating explosive devices. He reportedly acquired 0.91 kg of aluminum powder and 0.91 kg of potassium perchlorate, both of which are commonly used in the manufacturing of explosives.

Kazzaz emphasized the potential risks associated with the anti-Israel rhetoric propagated by certain Democratic officials, warning that such rhetoric could embolden extremist groups. He stated, “The way that Summer Lee views the world and has used her bully pulpit has legitimized these extremists.” Both Hamad and Lubit are linked to the broader anti-Israel movement, with Hamad allegedly donating to members of Congress who have publicly advocated for cease-fires in the ongoing conflict.

Kazzaz concluded with a warning about the real dangers posed by hatred towards Jewish communities, remarking, “Jewish hatred can actually morph into dangerous situations and violence.” The developments surrounding Hamad and Lubit underscore a growing concern about extremist ideologies finding a foothold within political discourse and the potential consequences that could arise from such sentiments.

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