An anti-Israel activist is facing criminal charges in Ohio after he was caught lying about being the victim of a hate crime involving anti-Palestinian slurs.
The North Ridgeville Police Department has arrested 20-year-old Hesham A. Ayyad for faking a hate crime against himself.
According to WKYC, the police report reveals that Ayyad went to a local hospital on October 22 and claimed he had been the victim of a hit-and-run.
He told officers that he had been hit by a car in an incident that was “racially motivated.”
Ayyad’s story was immediately picked up by the Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
The next day, CAIR demanded an immediate investigation into Ayyad’s claims.
In a statement, CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland Interim Executive Director Faten Odeh said:
“We call on state, local, and federal law enforcement authorities to monitor and investigate crimes related to the rising Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism.
“We hope the North Ridgeville Police Department and the FBI will collect all the information they need to charge this individual with a hate crime.
“We should all feel safe to walk down the street to grab a bite to eat, go to the store, and go to school.”
CAIR said in a press release that Ayyad said that he was walking home from lunch and was hit by an individual in a dark SUV while he was walking along the road.
According to Ayyad, the driver aggressively swerved the SUV into him.
He told police that the driver rolled down the window and yelled, “Kill all Palestinians” and “Long live Israel.”
Ayyad claimed that the driver then allegedly turned around and hit him with his vehicle while shouting “DIE!”
According to WKYC, police investigated Ayyad’s story and found that his allegations were fabricated.
Police confirmed to the local station that Ayyad was never struck by a vehicle nor subjected to racial slurs.
After reviewing video evidence, police found that he was injured during an earlier fight with his brother, 19-year-old Khalil A. Ayyad.
WKYC reported that both brothers were arrested and charged with domestic violence and assault.
In addition, Hersham Ayyad is accused of making false alarms, falsification, and obstructing official business.
The two brothers were released from custody Wednesday after each posted bond.
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