Meet Mayra Teke, the Rutgers Student Who Ripped Off an Israel Flag at Hummus Kitchen
Mayra Teke is a 22-year-old woman from Newark, New Jersey, who was arrested on December 14, 2023, for allegedly tearing down an Israeli flag at a restaurant called ‘Hummus Kitchen’ in Hoboken. She was charged with criminal mischief, bias intimidation, and harassment, according to the Hoboken Police Department.
What happened at ‘Hummus Kitchen’?
‘Hummus Kitchen’ is a popular Middle Eastern restaurant that serves authentic hummus, falafel, shawarma, and other dishes. The owner, David Cohen, is an Israeli-American who immigrated to the US in 2010. He said he has always displayed an Israel flag outside his restaurant to show his pride and support for his homeland.
On December 14, around 8 p.m., Cohen said he noticed a woman, later identified as Mayra Teke, walking by his restaurant and grabbing the Israel flag. He said he ran outside and tried to stop her, but she ripped the flag off the pole and threw it on the ground. She then allegedly yelled “F–k Israel” and “Free Palestine” at him and his customers.
Cohen said he was shocked and hurt by the incident, which he considered a hate crime. He said he has never experienced such hostility and disrespect in Hoboken, where he has many loyal and friendly customers. He said he called the police and reported the incident, hoping that the woman would be caught and punished.
Who is Mayra Teke and why did she do it?
Mayra Teke is a student at Rutgers University, where she majors in sociology and minors in Middle Eastern studies. She is also a member of the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter on campus, a group that advocates for the rights of Palestinians and opposes the Israeli occupation.
According to her social media posts, Teke is a vocal supporter of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which aims to pressure Israel to end its violations of international law and human rights. She has also participated in several protests and rallies against Israel, especially after the recent war that broke out in October 2023, when Hamas terrorists kidnapped more than 200 Israeli civilians and held them hostage.
Teke has not publicly commented on her arrest or her motives for tearing down the Israel flag at ‘Hummus Kitchen’. However, some of her friends and fellow activists have defended her actions, saying that she was expressing her frustration and anger at the Israeli government and its policies, not at the Jewish people or their religion. They said that she was exercising her right to free speech and that she did not intend to harm anyone or damage any property.
What are the reactions and consequences of the incident?
The incident at ‘Hummus Kitchen’ has sparked a lot of reactions and debates on social media and in the local community. Many people have condemned Teke’s actions as antisemitic, hateful, and violent, and have expressed their solidarity and sympathy with Cohen and his restaurant. They have also praised the police for arresting Teke and charging her with serious offenses.
Some people have also criticized Mayra Teke’s actions as counterproductive, saying that they only fuel more hatred and division, and that they do not help the cause of peace and justice in the Middle East. They have urged Teke and other activists to use more peaceful and constructive ways to express their views and to respect the diversity and pluralism of the society they live in.
However, some people have also defended Teke’s actions as legitimate, courageous, and justified, and have accused the police and the media of being biased and unfair. They have argued that Teke was not antisemitic, but anti-Zionist, and that she was protesting against the Israeli state, not the Jewish people. They have also claimed that Teke was a victim of oppression and discrimination, and that she was exercising her right to free speech and dissent.
Teke is currently being held at the Hudson County Correctional Facility on a $50,000 bail. She is scheduled to appear in court on December 21, 2023, where she will face the charges against her. If convicted, she could face up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
What are the implications and lessons of the incident?
The incident at ‘Hummus Kitchen’ is not an isolated or random event, but a reflection of the complex and contentious issues that surround the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its impact on the US and the world. It is also a reminder of the challenges and responsibilities that come with living in a diverse and democratic society, where different opinions and perspectives coexist and sometimes clash.
The incident shows that there is a need for more dialogue and education on the history and reality of the Middle East, and the rights and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians. It also shows that there is a need for more tolerance and respect for the beliefs and identities of others, and the recognition that violence and hatred are never the solution.
The incident also challenges us to think about our own role and responsibility as citizens and consumers, and how our actions and choices affect the lives and situations of others. It challenges us to be more informed and aware of the sources and consequences of our information and opinions, and to be more critical and ethical in our judgments and actions.
The incident at ‘Hummus Kitchen’ is not the end of the story, but the beginning of a conversation. A conversation that we hope will lead to more understanding, compassion, and peace.
