Jordanian national in Florida sentenced to six years for targeting businesses he believed supported Israel

JTA – A Jordanian national living in Florida was sentenced to six years in federal prison for attacking a series of businesses, including a solar farm, for their perceived support of Israel, the United States justice department said.

Hashem Younis Hashem Hnaihen, 44, destroyed several solar panels at a facility in Wedgefield in June 2024, causing more than $450 000 (R8.2 million) in damage, and left a letter threatening to use explosives to cause further damage, according to the department.

He was charged after allegedly leaving similar letters at a propane gas distributor in Orlando and, according to local reports, other area businesses, including two Starbucks locations and a McDonald’s, breaking the windows of some of these establishments.

Hnaihen’s letters, which he addressed to the US president and government, threatened to “destroy or explode everything here in whole America. Especially the companies and factories that support the racist state of Israel.” He was arrested in 2024 in a combined effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and local and state police.

The justice department said Hnaihen was living illegally in Orlando. Court filings in the case described Hnaihen’s solar farm attack as bearing signs of premeditation and sophistication, intended to cause maximum damage to the equipment.

“Threatening to commit mass violence against American citizens and targeting businesses or institutions for destruction will not be tolerated,” US Attorney Gregory Kehoe said in a release announcing Hnaihen’s sentencing.

Maitland, Florida, where Hnaihen targeted a McDonald’s, is also home to a Jewish community centre, Jewish school, and Conservative synagogue, all located blocks from the site.