Police in Indianapolis arrested a woman on Friday night after she drove her car into a building that she thought was a Jewish school but turned out to be a branch of the Black Hebrew Israelites, an antisemitic hate group.
Ruba Almaghtheh, 34, was arrested on a preliminary charge of criminal recklessness for allegedly slamming her car into the Israelite School of Universal and Practical Knowledge while several adults and children were inside.
FOX59 reported that police were called to the building around 11:30 pm Friday night to investigate a hate crime. Almaghtheh told officers she was watching the news coverage of Israel’s war against Hamas terrorists and decided to attack the “Israel school” because she was offended by the “Hebrew Israelite” symbol on the front of the building.
The building is decorated with the Star of David.
Police stated that she referenced “her people back in Palestine” and told responding officers, “Yes. I did it on purpose.” Detectives also said she admitted to committing the “hate crime” during a courtesy phone call with a family member.
The Anti-Defamation League classifies the Israelite School of Universal and Practical Knowledge as an “extreme and antisemitic” sect of the Black Hebrew Israelites, a known antisemitic hate group.
Almaghtheh is scheduled to have her first court appearance on Wednesday.
In a statement released Sunday night, the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis said, “Safety and security for our community is of the utmost importance, and we are more secure and prepared than ever before.”
“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.”
