Pittsburgh: Alleged ‘Hamas operative’ defaced Jewish buildings, acquired explosives, and contributed to Squad-aligned Democrats

Image: Jihad Watch

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh, also known as Steel City, is now grappling with the case of an aspiring Hamas supporter with a connection to progressive Democrats.

The FBI and Pittsburgh police apprehended two residents from the Pittsburgh area on Wednesday, charging them with hate crimes for allegedly vandalizing Jewish buildings in July.

One of the individuals, Mohamad Hamad, reportedly identified himself as a "Hamas operative," acquired and tested explosive materials for a potential future attack, and was a member of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard stationed near Pittsburgh International Airport, as stated in the criminal complaint.

Hamad, a dual citizen of the United States and Lebanon, also donated to progressive Democratic representatives who have labeled Israel's prolonged conflict in Gaza as genocide and advocated for a U.S. arms embargo on Israel as it faces threats from Iran and affiliated groups.

Talya Lubit, charged as Hamad’s accomplice in spray-painting pro-Hamas graffiti on a synagogue and Jewish community center, allegedly referred to Jews as "enemies," supported a county council resolution for a ceasefire with Israel, and signed a letter defending Pittsburgh’s anti-Israel representative, Rep. Summer Lee, who recently attributed the blame for the Oct. 7 Hamas attack to Israel.

"In Pittsburgh, we've seen anti-Israel extremists gaining ground within the Democratic Party and often targeting the Jewish community," Jeremy Kazzaz, executive director of the Beacon Coalition, a nonprofit opposing antisemitism in politics, told The Post.

These serious allegations come amid reports of three Jewish students from the University of Pittsburgh being assaulted this semester, with a survey showing that 62% of American Jews express concern over rising antisemitism within the Democratic Party.

"Imagine the terror of watching someone tear down their flags in their suburban neighborhood," Hamad reportedly messaged someone known to the FBI on Signal, an encrypted app similar to Telegram, which Hamas members allegedly used to disseminate footage from the Oct. 7 attack where terrorists killed and kidnapped over 1,400 people in southern Israel.

Hamad also reportedly expressed on Signal a willingness to die as a martyr for Islam.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)