Man charged for vandalizing Baltimore County small business with an Israeli flag, police say
A man was charged on Saturday after vandalizing a Baltimore County storefront displaying an Israeli flag on Thursday morning, according to Baltimore County Police.
On Saturday afternoon, officials announced that 39-year-old Jonathon Wagner was responsible for the crime and was arrested on multiple malicious destruction of property charges, including one based on race/religion.
County councilman Izzy Patoka shared a photo of Kitchen Design by Idan, in the 6000 block of Falls Road, and the Israeli flag spray-painted red on Thursday.
"When it comes to expressions of hate, there can be no tolerance," Patoka said. "Today, I learned that a small business in our district, Kitchen Design by Idan, was the target of an apparent antisemitic act of vandalism."
Idan Tzameret said it was the latest in a string of attacks against his business.
"People were spraying my storefront, people were putting posters on my fence, putting stickers, people coming in and heckling my employees," Tzameret said. "Thankfully, there was no physical harm, but I don't think it is far away from that."
Police told WJZ they have been in contact with local organizations within the Jewish community to address potential concerns in the community.
"Antisemitism has no place in our county, state, or country," Patoka said. "We must continue to call it out and speak with moral clarity."
"Antisemitism has no place anywhere, period," Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen said. "Hate is never an acceptable form of expression, period."
Combating hate and antisemitism in Baltimore
Advocates in the Baltimore area and law enforcement have recently taken steps to combat hate and antisemitism.
The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore recently launched The Center to Combat Antisemitism and Hate, a new facility aimed at educating the public about antisemitism and fighting misinformation.
The region has seen several antisemitic incidents in recent years.
In July, a portion of a Baltimore School Board meeting was interrupted by racist and antisemitic content. The interruption prompted a hate crime investigation, officials said.
Police presence increased in Maryland
Maryland law enforcement has said it is stepping up patrols in Jewish communities to protect them from hate crimes.
Baltimore County Police said it would increase presence and patrols around places of worship, community centers, and other sensitive areas, in Pikesville specifically, given the large Jewish community there.
The Baltimore Police Department and the Howard County Police Department also said they would increase patrols and presence similarly.
