WASHINGTON, Oct 11 — A New Jersey man has pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime at Rutgers University for vandalising property at its centre for Islamic life in what the Justice Department called "Islamophobic-fueled acts of hate.”

The incident took place in April on Eid.

Why it’s important

Rights advocates have noted rising threats against American Muslims, Arabs and Jews since the eruption of Israel’s wars in Gaza and Lebanon following an Oct 7, 2023, attack by Palestinian Hamas militants.

Universities have had to deal with such incidents in recent months. Threats of violence against Jews at Cornell University led to a 21-month sentence against the man who pled guilty to making those threats.

Key quote

"This defendant is being held accountable for Islamophobic-fueled acts of hate,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said yesterday.

The defendant, Jacob Beacher, 24, broke into the centre and damaged its property, including religious artifacts and items containing language from the Koran, the Justice Department said, adding he stole a Palestinian flag.

Context

Other more violent recent U.S. incidents include the attempted drowning of a 3-year-old Muslim girl in Texas, the fatal stabbing of a 6-year-old Muslim boy in Illinois, the stabbing of a Muslim man in Texas, the beating of a Muslim man in New York and a violent mob attack on pro-Palestinian protesters in California. — Reuters