Two people are now facing charges in connection with the vandalism of two Jewish institutions in Pittsburgh. Mohammad Hamad, 23, and Talya Rubit, 24, are accused of spray-painting anti-Semitic graffiti at a Chabad in Pittsburgh, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement Wednesday. Squirrel Hill and the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh date back to July. The statement said search warrants were issued for both Hamad and Rubit in August and September, and investigators found information on Hamad’s phone about “planning sabotage and targeting Jews. It is said that they discovered “messages (between the two) that were specifically discussed.” Further investigation revealed that “in the weeks leading up to the vandalism, Hamad referred to himself as a ‘Hamas operative’ and posted unidentified photos of himself wearing a headband with the Hamas logo,” the statement said. It was discovered that the email had been sent to other individuals. . ” The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh issued a statement in response to the accusations, saying, “(We) condemn the recent arrest of the suspects allegedly responsible for anti-Semitic graffiti and vandalism targeting our Jewish people.” We welcome it.” These incidents are a stark reminder of the challenges facing the Jewish community amid the recent rise in anti-Semitic acts. “We are committed to countering hate and creating a safer environment for all Pittsburgh residents,” the statement continued. The charges come days after the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh commemorated the sixth anniversary of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in October 2018, which killed 11 people and injured several others. It was done later.
Pittsburgh —
Two people are currently facing charges in connection with the vandalism of two Jewish institutions in Pittsburgh.
Mohammad Hamad, 23, and Talia Rubit, 24, sprayed anti-Semitic graffiti on Chabad of Squirrel Hill and the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh in July, according to a statement released Wednesday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He was indicted on suspicion of painting.
The statement said search warrants were issued for both Hamad and Rubit in August and September, and investigators found information on Hamad’s phone about “planning sabotage and targeting Jews. It is said that they discovered “messages (between the two) that were specifically discussed.”
Further investigation revealed that “in the weeks leading up to the vandalism, Hamad referred to himself as a ‘Hamas operative’ and posted unidentified photos of himself wearing a headband with the Hamas logo,” the statement said. It was discovered that the email had been sent to other individuals. . ”
Both men could face up to two years in prison, the statement said.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh issued a statement in response to the accusations, saying, “[We]have committed anti-Semitic graffiti and graffiti targeting our office building, Chabad of Squirrel Hill, and several Jewish residences in the city. “We welcome the recent arrest of the suspects believed to be responsible for the vandalism.” PITTSBURGH These incidents are a stark reminder of the challenges facing the Jewish community amid a recent increase in anti-Semitic acts. ”
The statement continued: “We are committed to countering hate and creating a safer environment for all Pittsburgh residents.”
The charges come days after the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh commemorated the sixth anniversary of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in October 2018, which killed 11 people and injured several others. It was done later.
