Jordanian sentenced to six years in US prison for anti-Israel attacks
Justice Department says Hashem Younis Hashem Hnaihen targeted businesses in Orlando for their perceived support for Israel, causing over $450,000 in damage
A Jordanian national in Orlando, Florida, was sentenced to six years in US federal prison for threats against and attacks on businesses over their perceived support for Israel, the US Justice Department said on Thursday.
Hashem Younis Hashem Hnaihen, 44, described as “a Jordanian national residing illegally in Orlando,” broke into a solar power generation facility in Wedgefield, Florida, in June 2024, according to prosecutors.
He caused more than $450,000 in damage, the Justice Department said in a statement. He also broke doors and threatened other businesses.
Hnaihen was arrested in July 2024, charged in August and pleaded guilty in December.
“According to court documents, beginning around June 2024, Hnaihen targeted and attacked businesses in the Orlando area for their perceived support for Israel,” the Justice Department said.
“Wearing a mask, under the cover of night, Hnaihen smashed the glass front doors of businesses and left behind ‘warning letters.'”
Rights advocates have noted rising threats in the US against Jews and Israelis since the start of Israel’s war in Gaza, which began with the October 7, 2023 attack, when thousands of Hamas-led terrorists stormed southern Israel to kill some 1,200 people and abduct 251.
Antisemitic incidents in the US continued to rise to unprecedented levels for the fourth straight year in 2024, with 9,354 recorded cases of harassment, vandalism, and assault, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Communities around the world have seen sharp rises in antisemitic activity since October 7.
The Times of Israel Community.