Authorities have charged two Pittsburgh-area residents with hate crimes following a string of anti-Semitic vandalism at Jewish buildings in July. One suspect, Mohamad Hamad, allegedly self-identified as a “Hamas operative,” acquired explosive materials, and served as a member of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, according to court documents. Hamad, a dual U.S.-Lebanese citizen, reportedly communicated his willingness to martyr himself for his cause, as shown in encrypted Signal messages reviewed by the FBI.

The other individual, Talya Lubit, who is Jewish, faces charges as Hamad’s accomplice in spray-painting pro-Hamas graffiti on local Jewish institutions, including a Chabad in Squirrel Hill and the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. Lubit’s messages with Hamad reveal conflicted sentiments about her Jewish identity, influenced by her strong anti-Israel views, the criminal complaint alleges. Lubit, a recent graduate of Dickinson College, expressed growing resentment toward Jewish identity in private messages with Hamad, sharing an image that depicted the Israeli flag with a swastika.

The suspects allegedly spray-painted “Jews 4 Palestine” and “Funds Genocide Jews” on Jewish community buildings.

The court documents indicate Hamad’s support for Squad-aligned Democrats, including donations to Rep. Ilhan Omar and Rep. Rashida Tlaib, who have publicly criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza. Lubit was also part of a group defending Rep. Summer Lee, a freshman Pittsburgh congresswoman, after her calls for a ceasefire following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and her declaration that Israel is committing genocide.

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