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🇮🇱 Israel /Crime & Justice

Michigan anti-Israel activists indicted for threats, vandalism against UMich officials, Jewish site

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Eight anti-Israel activists were indicted for a two-and-a-half-year campaign of threats and vandalism against University of Michigan officials and Jewish sites.
  • The activists allegedly researched targets, discussed harming them and their families, and vandalized homes and businesses with threatening messages.
  • They face up to five years in prison for conspiracy to transmit threats, with their actions primarily motivated by a desire for the university to cut ties with Israel.

Eight anti-Israel activists associated with the University of Michigan have been indicted by a federal grand jury for a sustained campaign of violent threats and vandalism. The indictment, announced by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, follows a multi-state operation that led to arrests in Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

I’m gonna be the dirtiest f***ing doctor ever...I’m gonna be [victim’s] doctor... poison her a** slowly

— Ahmet Kerem KorkayaAlleged statement by one of the indicted activists regarding a victim.

The accused, aged 22 to 28, allegedly engaged in a two-and-a-half-year effort targeting university officials, the local Jewish federation, law enforcement, and businesses. Their actions were reportedly motivated by a desire for the university to sever perceived ties with Israel. Prosecutors claim the activists held meetings to identify targets, research their personal details and business ownership, and discussed methods of inflicting harm, including poison and bombs.

Prosecutors presented alleged statements from defendants, including one individual who reportedly said about a victim, "I'm gonna be the dirtiest f***ing doctor ever... I'm gonna be [victim’s] doctor... poison her a** slowly." Another allegedly called for targets' children to be followed and their houses burned down. The defendants are accused of operating at night, vandalizing homes and businesses with spray-painted messages and symbols, including "intifada" and the red inverted triangle used by Hamas.

We need people following [victim]... get into that house then burn it down.

— Paige Elizabeth FeyockAlleged statement by one of the indicted activists detailing plans for vandalism.

Specific incidents cited include the vandalism of a Jewish Federation building and other businesses on the anniversary of the October 7 massacre. Activists also allegedly targeted the homes of university officials, including placing fake corpses on the lawn of a UMich regent and attaching a list of demands to her door. The indictment carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment for conspiracy to transmit threats.

intifada

— UnknownOne of the threatening messages allegedly spray-painted by the activists.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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