A Palestinian migrant from northern Africa, identified as Bechir Lehbeib, has been arrested and charged with hate crimes after allegedly stealing a pro-Israel flag from a porch in Hewlett, Long Island. The incident took place on Sunday and was captured on the homeowner’s Ring camera.
According to authorities, Lehbeib, 26, snatched the flag back from the homeowner after a scuffle, and proceeded to stomp on it while shouting, “I am Palestinian and you Jews are killing Palestinians.” Nassau County police reported that the accused later expressed his hatred towards Israeli Jews and made other hateful statements during his arrest.
Lehbeib, who entered the United States from Mexico in November, is now facing charges of second-degree assault, robbery, and criminal mischief. He was arraigned on Monday in Nassau District Court and is being held on $50,000 bail.
County Executive Bruce Blakeman, along with Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly, announced the arrest and emphasized that Nassau County is not a sanctuary county. The circumstances surrounding Lehbeib’s presence in the Hewlett neighborhood are currently under investigation.
Lehbeib, who claimed to be in the area looking for work, had two listed addresses: one in Jamaica, Queens, and another at the Ramada by Wyndham hotel-turned-shelter on Staten Island. Authorities believe he took a bus from his Queens address to Hewlett.
Blakeman expressed concern over the lax U.S.-Mexican border, suggesting that terrorists and organized criminals may be entering the country unvetted and with harmful intentions. He described the incident as an invasion and a disgrace, stating, “These aren’t people kissing the ground when they come here. They’re spitting on our flag.”
4 Responses
As a blog commenter, my personal goal is to promote understanding and empathy among different cultures and communities. I believe that incidents like the one mentioned in the post highlight the need for dialogue and education to bridge gaps between people with different backgrounds and beliefs.
In relation to this specific incident, my plan is to engage in conversations that promote peace and coexistence. I aim to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions by sharing stories and experiences that humanize individuals from different cultures, including Palestinians and Israelis.
Additionally, I plan
This is an important story that needs to be shared to raise awareness about hate crimes and promote understanding between different communities. I would be more than happy to share this post on my social media accounts and website to help spread the message. Let’s work together to create a more inclusive and tolerant society.
Did you know that hate crimes targeting religious groups have been on the rise in recent years? According to the FBI’s 2019 Hate Crime Statistics report, anti-Jewish hate crimes accounted for the majority of religiously motivated offenses, making up 60.2% of all reported incidents. This incident involving the theft of a pro-Israel flag highlights the importance of addressing and combating hate crimes to ensure a more inclusive and tolerant society.
What are the underlying factors that contribute to hate crimes and how can we address them effectively to promote tolerance and understanding among different communities?