DOJ says man attacked Florida businesses over perceived support of Israel

A Jordanian citizen living in Florida has been charged with attacking businesses over perceived support of Israel, according to a release from the Middle District of Florida U.S. attorney's office.

Hashem Younis Hashem Hnaihen, a 43-year-old man living in Orlando, allegedly carried out multiple attacks on local businesses, including a solar energy facility. Authorities say he made multiple threats to commit mass violence and went through with an attack in late June on a solar power generation facility in Wedgefield, Fla., spending hours destroying solar panels. He is believed to have caused more than $700,000 in damage.

Hnaihen was charged with four counts of threatening to use explosives and one count of destruction of an energy facility.

According to court documents, he began targeting the businesses in June wearing a mask at night, smashing glass doors and leaving behind "Warning Letters."

The letters, addressed to the U.S. government, laid out a set of political demands and included a threat to "destroy or explode everything here in whole America. Especially the companies and factories that support the racist state of Israel," according to the release.

Shortly after, another "Warning Letter" was found at an industrial propane gas distribution depot in Orlando and following an effort by effort by multiple agencies, law enforcement arrested Hnaihen on July 11.

Attorney General Merrick Garland released a statement, saying the acts committed by Hnaihen will not be tolerated.

“We allege that the defendant threatened to carry out hate-fueled mass violence in our country, motivated in part by a desire to target businesses for their perceived support of Israel,” Garland said. “Such acts and threats of violence, whether they are targeting the places that Americans frequent every day or our country’s critical infrastructure, are extremely dangerous and will not be tolerated by the Justice Department.”

FBI Director Christopher Wray released a similar statement after investigating the incident along with the Orange County sheriff’s office and assistance from the Maitland Police Department, Winter Park Police Department and Orlando Police Department. 

“Under the guise of expressing his beliefs, the defendant allegedly attacked a power facility and threatened local businesses, causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages,” Wray said. “Violence and destruction of property to threaten and intimidate others will never be tolerated. The FBI and our partners will work together to pursue and hold accountable those who resort to violence.”

If convicted, Hnaihen will face the maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for each threat and up to 20 years for the destruction of the energy facility.