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Indianapolis police say 'terrorist' drove her car into a building after mistaking it for a Jewish school: 'I'm just getting my anger out'
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department

Indianapolis police say 'terrorist' drove her car into a building after mistaking it for a Jewish school: 'I'm just getting my anger out'

A woman was arrested Friday after allegedly driving into a building she had figured for a Jewish school. Ironically, the building 34-year-old Ruba Almaghtheh admitted to plowing her Chevy Impala into belongs to a group known for similarly being anti-Semitic.

Almaghtheh, who appears to have come to the U.S. from Jordan, intentionally drove her car into the Israelite School of Universal and Practical Knowledge in the 3500 block of North Keystone Avenue around 11:30 p.m. on Friday, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police.

In footage of her arrest shared to the ISUPK's YouTube page, Almaghtheh can be heard denouncing Israel, criticizing America's support for Israel, and admitting, "I'm just here because if I don't do anything, I'm going to really have a heart attack sitting in my fricking chair. ... I'm just getting my anger out."

TERRORIST ATTACK ON AMERICAN SOIL ISRAELITE SCHOOL OF UNIVERSAL PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGEyoutu.be

According to court records, an adult, a 7-month-old baby, and three toddlers were inside the school at the time of the attack, reported the Indianapolis Star. No one was injured.

WXIN-TV reported that Almaghtheh told officers she had been watching news coverage of the Israel-Hamas war and hatched a scheme to attack the ISUPK, figuring it for a Jewish "Israel school" on account of the "Hebrew Israelite" symbol on the front of the building.

The Anti-Defamation League considers the ISUPK "an extreme and antisemitic sect of Black Hebrew Israelites (BHI) who believe that they are the only true BHI group because of ties to early organizations." Some BHI adherents assert that "white people are agents of Satan, Jews are liars and false worshipers of God, and Blacks are racially superior and the only true 'chosen people.'"

According to the IMPD, Almaghtheh said, "Yes. I did it on purpose," referencing "her people back in Palestine" and her inability to "breathe any more."

A probable cause affidavit for her arrest indicated that Almaghtheh also admitted to her sister during a courtesy call that she intentionally crashed into the building.

Officers reportedly labeled her a "terrorist."

Almaghtheh is reportedly being held at the Marion County Jail on a preliminary felony charge of criminal recklessness but was not formally charged as of late Monday, said Michael Leffler, a spokesman for Marion County Prosecutor's Office.

She is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.

Captain Chaapash Yahawadah, the leader of the school, stated Monday, "We are not affiliated with the white Jewish community. We are not affiliated with what's going on over there in the Middle East," underscoring that "the black community will not be a whipping stick for the Palestinians."

The Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis said in a statement, "The threat level for our community has not increased. Safe Indiana, our Jewish community security program, was immediately notified, and has been working alongside law enforcement on this incident. Safety and security for our community is of the utmost importance, and we are more secure and prepared than ever before."

The organization suggested, "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 same promptly to the appropriate authorities."

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Joseph MacKinnon

Joseph MacKinnon

Joseph MacKinnon is a staff writer for Blaze News.
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