U.S. authorities are investigating a suspected hate crime in Zionsville, Indiana, after a building displaying Israeli and American flags was set on fire, leaving more than $150,000 in damage.
The fire broke out Friday at a historic building on the town’s Main Street that had previously housed an antique store. Zionsville firefighters were called to the scene and later said the building was empty at the time of the blaze.
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The building after it was set on fire and the Israeli and US flags on the building
(Photo: Zionsville Fire Department)
Mayor John Stehr said at a press conference that investigators believe the fire was deliberately set on the Israeli flag, which had been hanging on the building for three consecutive years. Fire officials said burn patterns at the scene clearly indicated that the arsonist first ignited the flag before the flames spread to other parts of the historic structure.
Although the incident is being investigated as a potential hate crime, authorities said no suspects have been identified. Officials urged the public to come forward with any relevant information.
The building goes up in flames
(Photo: Zionsville Fire Department)
Senior Indiana politicians sharply condemned the incident. Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, who lives in the area, shared photos of the building before and after the fire and called the arson “absolutely despicable.”
“There can be no tolerance in America for antisemitism or acts of political violence, and it is heartbreaking to see this in our town,” Pence said. “Thank God no one was hurt.”
Sen. Jim Banks also condemned the attack, saying: “Antisemitism will not stand. Not in Zionsville. Not in Indiana. Not anywhere. We will work to bring the perpetrators of this vile arson to justice.”
Following the fire, members of central Indiana’s Jewish community gathered for a support rally outside the burned building, waving Israeli and American flags along Main Street.
David Schiller, who organized the rally, said the building’s owner had already insisted on reinstalling the flags. “The Founding Fathers created a country where we have the ability to resolve our differences,” Schiller said at the rally. “We don’t do that by throwing firebombs at homes. It is inexcusable and unacceptable.”
Support rally outside the torched building
(Photo: Social nedia)
Meital Ashkenazi, who attended the rally, said that despite the disappointment and anger, the incident had brought residents of different backgrounds closer together.
“We’re tired, but we’re not letting it bring us down,” Ashkenazi said. “As you can see, this case is actually bringing us closer together, not only us as Jews but also our neighbors. You see Hindu community members supporting us, Christians, Muslims. It just brings us together, stronger.” Janine Shapiro, another member of the community, said: “We’re not going anywhere.”