Federal authorities on Wednesday charged two people with hate crime-related offenses in connection with vandalism at Jewish institutions in Squirrel Hill.
Mohamad Hamad, 23, of Coraopolis, and Talya A. Lubit, 24, of Pittsburgh, are charged with conspiracy and defacing or damaging religious property, according to a criminal complaint.
Hamad was a member of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard and stationed in Moon. He was barred from the station on Sept. 13, according to the complaint.
Graffiti reading “Jews 4 Palestine” was spray-painted on a wall at the Chabad of Squirrel Hill, accompanied by an inverted red triangle. Investigators said the symbol has become commonly associated with pro-Hamas demonstrations.
At the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, a sign was defaced to claim the organization “funds genocide.”
In other parts of Squirrel Hill, multiple “We stand with Israel” yard signs were also vandalized.
Police reported that surveillance footage captured a black sedan outside the Chabad of Squirrel Hill around 1:40 a.m. on July 29 around the time of the suspected incidents. A subsequent search warrant led to arrests of the suspects.
“Defacing religious property is not protected speech—it is a crime,” U.S. Attorney Eric Olshan said.
“Members of our communities should be able to practice their faith without fear of being targeted for their religious affiliation, including, as alleged here, with a symbol associated with a terrorist organization. Protecting the civil rights of the people of Western Pennsylvania is of paramount importance to this office and our partners in law enforcement, and we are dedicated to pursuing justice on behalf of the victims of these crimes.”
