In a disturbing incident that has rattled the community of Bexley, Ohio, a man was arrested for making antisemitic slurs towards two families who had Israeli flags displayed on their lawns. The man, identified as 39-year-old Jacob Reidy, was caught on a Ring doorbell camera by one of the families before being apprehended by the Bexley Police Department on charges related to criminal trespass.
Debbie Meyer, a resident of Bexley, recounted her harrowing experience to Fox News. She was at home with her husband watching a football game when the doorbell rang. Meyer decided not to answer it, as she found the man at the door to look suspicious. When she finally did interact with him through the doorbell camera, the man unleashed a tirade of antisemitic slurs, prompting Meyer to immediately call the police.
The incident comes on the heels of a warning from FBI Director Chris Wray about a surge in domestic threats linked to Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas. The war, which began after a brutal attack by the terrorist organization on October 7, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. The Israeli government reports that more than 1,400 Israelis have died since the war commenced, and at least 150 adults and children have been taken hostage into Gaza. The Gaza Health Ministry states that about 2,750 Palestinians have been killed and 9,700 wounded.
The Bexley Police Department is collaborating with state and federal authorities to investigate the incident. A statement obtained by Fox News indicated that the department is in constant communication with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. The statement also encouraged the public to report any suspicious activity immediately, wrote NBC4 Columbus.
Reidy, who has no prior criminal history, was also seen last Saturday shouting slurs from his car outside a synagogue, according to a police spokesperson. The police confirmed that Reidy had gone to another house a block away and made similar antisemitic insults.
Meyer, who is the child of a Holocaust survivor, expressed that the incident has deeply affected her family. She had put up the Israeli flag on her lawn to show solidarity with Israel in its war against Hamas. Despite the unsettling experience, Meyer affirmed that the flag would remain on her lawn. 10tv.com
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, especially among members of the Jewish community in Columbus, who have reported at least three instances of antisemitism in Bexley and its surrounding areas since the Israel-Hamas war began. The community remains on high alert, even as the police have arrested and charged a man believed to be responsible for two of the threats, according to Newsweek.
The incident serves as a grim reminder of the pervasive antisemitism that exists, not just globally but also within the United States. It underscores the need for vigilance and community solidarity in the face of hate and bigotry. While the arrest of Reidy is a step in the right direction, it is evident that much work remains to be done to eradicate such deeply ingrained prejudices.