Immediate Release: CAIR-NJ Welcomes Teaneck Arrest of Man Who Allegedly Threatened Pro-Palestinian Protester with a Knife
(NEWARK, NJ, 5/08/2024) — The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today welcomed the arrest of a man who allegedly hurled racially charged epitaphs and brandished a knife at a woman who was participating in a motor vehicle procession in support of Palestine on Teaneck Road.
Ebrahim Yehounatan, 71, who was arrested by police on Friday, May 3, has been charged with second-degree bias intimidation for his unprovoked threats and harassment. He also faces charges of possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes and harassment.
SEE: NY man charged for incident Teaneck NJ pro-Palestine protest (northjersey.com)
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:
“We welcome and are relieved by the arrest of the alleged perpetrator for his disturbing act of harassment and intimidation towards an individual in Teaneck, New Jersey.
“Threats of violence should never be tolerated. We must always take firm action against those who attempt to harm others.
“Peaceful protestors must be protected by local law enforcement. More needs to be done to keep them safe from instigators.
“We are noticing a trend–anti-Palestinian racists instigating and causing direct harm to pro-Palestinian protests. Manipulative and hateful rhetoric coming from our elected officials twisting the narrative has led to this uptick in violent threats and attacks. This is wildly unacceptable. Elected officials in New Jersey must be more mindful. Their demonization of protests has caused negative reverberations, putting peaceful people in direct harm’s way – people who want nothing but an end to genocide.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut, sMaksut@cair.com, 908-668-5900 ext. 101, 908-267-3119
