The Horrific Approval of Anti-Arab Hate

As you read this, ask yourself why this isn't headline news nationwide, and what would happen if the roles were reversed—then take this meaningful action for justice

This week in Florida, a Jewish American named Mordechai Brafman fired 17 shots at two people, believing them to be Palestinian. He later openly confessed that he believed he had killed them. In reality, his bullets only grazed the two victims, a father and son duo. One victim suffered a grazed bullet wound to his left forearm while the other suffered a gunshot to his left shoulder. But this story has a bizarre twist. His victims were not Palestinians, not Arabs, and not Muslims—they were Israeli Jews, a father and son, the Rabeys. And sadly the story gets even worse from here.

Even after surviving an attack by a Jewish American gunman, Ari Rabey, one of the victims, took to Facebook to blame Arabs for the violence. He posted, “Dear Jews, they tried to kill us for nationalistic reasons,” and falsely claimed the attack was “anti-Semitic.” He even posted “Death to the Arabs.”

And chances are this might be the first you heard about it. Let’s Address This.

Mordechai Brafman Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation

Where Is the National Outrage?

The official police affidavit states:

It should be noted that while in custody in our interview room, the defendant [Mordechai Brafman] spontaneously stated that while he was driving his truck, he saw two Palestinians and shot and killed both.

Let’s be clear about what happened: A Jewish American man nearly killed two Israeli Jews because he thought they were Palestinian Arab Muslims—and the victims instead still blamed Arabs for the attack, calling for their death. In other words, the victims didn’t condemn the would be murderer for trying to murder them, because his intent is one they apparently agree with, i.e. “death to Arabs.”

And the absurdity still does not stop here. Consider that this shooting happened in Florida, a state that has charged a woman denied healthcare coverage with terrorism because she repeated, “delay deny defend, you’re next,” to Blue Cross and Blue Shield. The woman, Briana Boston, is a mother of three, has no history of violence, doesn’t even own a firearm—yet currently languishes in house arrest and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of terrorism.

Meanwhile, though Mordechai Brafman is being held in jail without bond, so far he has only been charged with two counts of second degree attempted murder—not terrorism, and not a hate crime. If convicted, he also faces up to 15 years in prison. How are empty words deserving of the same punishment as shooting at two people 17 times, hitting and nearly killing them? Why is it terrorism to verbally express non-violent frustration to a health insurance company, but not terrorism to fire 17 times in broad daylight with the intent to kill two people because you thought they were Palestinian Muslims?

Finally, imagine if the roles were reversed? In such a case, this would be headline news across the country. If a Palestinian had shot at two people mistakenly believing they were Jewish, the media would rightly be in an uproar, and politicians would rightly rush to condemn the act. But in this case, there has been no national outcry, no demand for justice, no hate crime charges filed against Brafman, and no mass political movement to ensure this injustice never happens again.

Why?

Does Brafman’s incompetence in identifying his targets excuse his anti-Arab racism? Does the fact that his bullets grazed his victims, instead of killing them, somehow make his actions less of a hate crime? If someone fires 17 rounds at people based purely on ethnic hatred, how is that not an act of terrorism?

How You Can Help Demand Justice

Right now, The Miami State Attorney’s Office of Hate Crimes under State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle is considering whether or not to charge Brafman with a hate crime. You can raise your voice to demand justice. Here’s how.

1. Please take a moment to call State Attorney Rundle’s office at (305) 547-0100 to encourage them to file hate crime charges against Brafman.

2. Email Hate Crimes Division Chief Justin Funck at justinfunck@miamisao.com to encourage him to file hate crime charges against Brafman.

Here is a sample email to send:

Dear Attorney Funck,

I am writing to encourage you to file hate crime charges against Mordechai Brafman for his attempt to kill two Jewish people, while believing they were Palestinian Arab Muslims. Such hate, whether Islamophobic, Anti-Arab, or anti-Semitic, has no place in our country. It must be condemned with the strongest words and actions possible. 

At a time of deep divisions in our country, it is critical that equal justice and accountability apply to those who engage in such horrific violence. We must bring down the rhetoric and hold accountable those who engage in such hate. Your leadership in ensuring such accountability will make this a safer and more prosperous nation for all people, regardless of background. Thank you.

Sincerely,

[Name]

This cycle of dehumanization, misinformation, and bigotry does not make Jewish Americans safer. It does not make Palestinian Americans safer. Indeed, it makes life worse and more dangerous for all people in this country. While fortunately no one was killed in this vile attack, we all have witnessed the horror of mass murder from mass shootings.

This is why we must stand united against all forms of hate—against antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab bigotry alike. Justice must be equal, accountability must be equal, and violence rooted in hate must be condemned regardless of the identities of the perpetrator and victim. We must demand that Mordechai Brafman be held fully accountable under the law. Anything less sends a chilling message: that hate crimes against Arabs and Palestinians don’t matter.

Call, email, share this post in your network, and encourage them to act. Let us raise our collective voices for justice, and reject this reckless, dehumanizing violence.