Federal authorities have arrested a San Diego County man accused of attacking a Jewish individual during a heated anti-Israel protest outside a synagogue in the Pico-Robertson section of Los Angeles, where an event promoting Israeli real estate was taking place.

According to the United States Department of Justice, 28-year-old Zaid Gitesatani of Carlsbad, California, was charged by federal grand jury indictment with one count of committing a hate crime. He was scheduled to appear Thursday afternoon in federal court in Los Angeles.

“The defendant’s conduct, if proven, is a serious violation of the law – every American deserves to live without fear of violence based on who he is or how he worships,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said. “The Justice Department is committed to vigorously prosecuting such crimes of hate and violence.”

Federal prosecutors said the indictment, returned on May 5, stemmed from a June 23, 2024 gathering organized by a company known as “My Home in Israel,” which held an event at Adas Torah Synagogue to market property available for purchase in Israel.

Authorities said several pro-Palestinian organizations publicized demonstrations against the event, including one group that urged supporters to “stand against settler expansion.” Investigators allege Gitesatani traveled to Los Angeles specifically to participate in the protest.

According to prosecutors, a Jewish man identified in court papers only as “Victim A” was walking his dog near the synagogue during the protest when Gitesatani allegedly came up behind him and struck him in the jaw. The victim reportedly suffered pain, swelling and redness from the blow. Investigators said the suspect then blended back into the crowd after the alleged attack.

The indictment further alleges that Gitesatani later uploaded to Instagram a screenshot related to the incident alongside the statement, “Whooped the Zios today and we took their flag,” while also posting photographs of bruises on his knuckles.

Federal prosecutors also cited additional Instagram conversations allegedly sent by Gitesatani in the days afterward, in which he wrote, “I whopped 2 zios,” “whooped,” “I swung good on them,” “It was satisfying,” and “I [sic] hand it [sic] numb from punching him so hard.”

Court documents additionally allege that he shared another image from the confrontation on Instagram with the caption, “The Chosen People sometimes need a good smack to wake up.”

If convicted on the federal hate crime charge, Gitesatani could face up to 10 years behind bars.

Accounts from the June 2024 demonstration said anti-Israel protesters surrounded the synagogue and blocked Jewish attendees from entering. Pro-Israel demonstrators also arrived at the scene, and tensions escalated into physical confrontations involving pushing, shoving and punches between members of both groups.

Authorities also alleged that one anti-Israel protester used bear mace against counterprotesters and an independent journalist covering the scene. Police officers wearing riot gear eventually moved in and arrested one individual accused of carrying a “spiked flag” during the unrest.

Following the clashes, President Joe Biden denounced the violence in a post on X, writing, “I’m appalled by the scenes outside of Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles. Intimidating Jewish congregants is dangerous, unconscionable, antisemitic, and un-American.” He added, “Americans have a right to peaceful protest. But blocking access to a house of worship – and engaging in violence – is never acceptable.”

After the incident, then-Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California had opened a formal investigation into the violence outside the synagogue.

{Matzav.com}