Hayward man charged with hate crime for allegedly burning Israeli flag during protests

MARTINEZ — Prosecutors here have filed arson, robbery, grand theft and hate crime charges against a Hayward man who allegedly took an Israeli flag from another protestor and set it on fire.

Christopher Khamis Victor Husary, 36, was charged last week in a decision by the Contra Costa District Attorneys Office. The charges stem from a January protest and counter-protest in El Cerrito over the Israel-Hamas war.

Husary was arrested Feb. 28, on a warrant generated by El Cerrito police. He remains jailed in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Prosecutors allege that Husary shoved a counter-protestor, took her flag and set it on fire, before taking another Israeli flag from another woman’s shoulders. District Attorney Diana Becton issued a statement saying that “while the First Amendment is fundamental to our democracy, it doesn’t protect threats, injury, intimidation, or property damage.”