On Friday night in Indianapolis, an Arab-American woman who police described as a “terrorist” allegedly plowed her car into a building she thought was a Jewish school. There were several adults and children inside, but none were harmed in the attack.
Ruba Almaghtheh, 34, violently backed her car into a building that had a sign containing the Star of David on the front door, according to a police report obtained by a local Fox affiliate. Police were called to the scene around 11:30 p.m. to investigate a hate crime. Almaghtheh was arrested on a preliminary charge of criminal recklessness.
Almaghtheh allegedly told officers that she had been watching news coverage of the Israel-Hamas war and “couldn’t breathe anymore,” which led her to plan an attack on the building. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said she referenced “her people back in Palestine” and told officers, “Yes. I did it on purpose.”
Almaghtheh assumed the “Hebrew Israelite” symbol posted out front meant the structure was an “Israel school.” However, the building is used by the Israelite School of Universal and Practical Knowledge (ISUPK), a sect of the Black Hebrew Israelites. The symbol on the door, that of two crossed swords interlocked with two Stars of David, is the emblem of the ISUPK, an antisemitic group of African Americans who believe they are the true descendants of Israel.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis released a statement Sunday night, reporting that Safe Indiana, a Jewish community security program, was immediately notified of the incident. Safe Indiana was established “to identify and assess any potential threats” to the Jewish community in the area, noting the sharp rise in antisemitic attacks across the U.S. The local organization is working alongside law enforcement to investigate the incident.
“Safety and security for our community is of the utmost importance, and we are more secure and prepared than ever before,” Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis officials wrote in a press release. “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.”
Almaghtheh was interviewed by detectives and admitted to the antisemitic attack during her courtesy phone call with a family member.
Almaghtheh is expected to make her first court appearance on Wednesday. As Almaghtheh is accused of a hate crime, IMPD has contacted the FBI about the incident.