Palestinian Flag-Waving Man Arrested After Allegedly Forcing Ohio GOP Rep. Off Road

A 36-year-old Ohio man has been arrested and charged after allegedly forcing Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) off the road while shouting threats and waving a Palestinian flag. 

The suspect, Feras Hamdan, turned himself in to the Rocky River Police Department with his attorney and now faces a felony aggravated menacing charge.

The incident unfolded Thursday morning along a highway in Indiana, where Miller, who is Jewish and serves as a U.S. Marine Corps reservist, was driving to work. 

According to the Rocky River Police, Hamdan aggressively tailed the congressman, honked repeatedly and ultimately forced him off the road before fleeing.

Authorities quickly identified Hamdan as the suspect, launching a multi-agency investigation that now includes the FBI, U.S. Capitol Police, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio and the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Just the News reports.

Miller shared the encounter on X.

 “The life of me and my family was threatened by a person who proceeded to show a Palestinian flag before taking off,” he wrote, adding, “I have filed a police report with Capitol Police and the local police department. We know who this person is and he will face justice.”

Miller emphasized that confronting lawmakers with violence is unacceptable. 

“If you have an issue with a legislator, your city councilman, your mayor, anyone like that, the appropriate thing to do is to reach out to them for a phone call…,” he continued. 

“What is not okay is to assault anyone, whether you’re a member of Congress or anyone else within our district while you are driving to work.”

He described the suspect as “deranged” and “unhinged,” adding, “He decided to lay on his horn and run me off the road when he couldn’t get my attention to show me a Palestinian flag — not to mention ‘death to Israel,’ death to me — that he wanted to kill me and my family. Thank god my daughter wasn’t in the vehicle at the time.”

Police say the suspect’s actions are being taken seriously given the political and religious implications of the threats. 

Miller called 911 around 9:30 a.m. on the day of the incident and reported the suspect’s aggressive behavior and threats. 

Officials say the display of the Palestinian flag was coupled with verbal threats that referenced Israel and Miller’s personal safety.

Hamdan was charged with aggravated menacing and is expected to be arraigned Friday. A criminal protection order has also been filed by Miller and is under review.

Rocky River police confirmed that Hamdan’s surrender followed rapid investigative work by law enforcement, aided by Miller’s report and other evidence. 

Authorities have not disclosed whether Hamdan has retained legal representation. 

His motivation has not been officially confirmed, but police and federal agencies are continuing to investigate whether the incident could qualify as a hate crime or politically motivated threat, according to Just the News.

This incident comes at a time of heightened tension involving U.S. lawmakers, especially in the wake of recent violence against political figures in other states. 

Law enforcement has not indicated whether additional charges will be filed.

As of Friday, Hamdan remained in custody. A court date is set and federal officials have stated that the case remains active.

WATCH:

The post Palestinian Flag-Waving Man Arrested After Allegedly Forcing Ohio GOP Rep. Off Road appeared first on Resist the Mainstream.