StopAntisemitism published footage overnight Wednesday showing a man stopping his vehicle beside a private home in New York, entering the property and tearing down an Israeli flag displayed alongside the American flag.
The man then filmed himself with the flag and uploaded the video to his Telegram channel, according to the organization.
US Army veteran filmed stealing Israeli flag from New York home, giving Nazi salute
StopAntisemitism identified the man as Michael Sommer, a former member of the U.S. Army. The organization alleged that Sommer operates a Telegram channel where he publishes antisemitic content, praises Adolf Hitler, displays neo-Nazi symbols, performs Nazi salutes and documents himself stealing Israeli flags from private property.
StopAntisemitism further claimed that despite this activity, Sommer continues to receive benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs funded by American taxpayers.
Michael Sommer in uniform and in a recently posted photo
(Photo: StopAntisemitism / X)
The organization called on U.S. authorities to investigate the incident and address Sommer’s conduct, which it said includes spreading antisemitic propaganda and committing property offenses while recording and distributing them on social media.
“This wasn't vandalism in the heat of the moment. It was deliberate, premeditated, and celebrated,” the organization said.
The video, posted on X, accumulated tens of thousands of views. One user wrote: "Really doesn’t matter if premeditated or not, same crime of hate. Aint like with murder where the charge is different if premeditated, it’s a vandalism hate charge either way. Pretty sure the hate crime aspect makes it a felony rather than simple misdemeanor vandalism. They’ll get em and he’ll have a hate crime on his record the rest of his life. Judge will make him volunteer having to pick up trash around synagogues every week for a year or something lol. Hoping some time behind bars first."