Broward man arrested, accused of slashing pro-Israel banner outside Miami Beach bagel shop

A Coral Springs man was arrested Friday on charges of criminal mischief with prejudice after authorities say he slashed a pro-Israel banner outside of a Miami Beach bagel shop in late October.

Nour Abaido, 24, did over $400 in damage to the banner displayed outside of Bagel Time Cafe in the 3900 block of Alton Road, according to Miami Beach Police.

Abaido arrived at the restaurant on Oct. 28, police said in a media release, stepping out of an orange Ford GT Mustang in the middle of the road. He first tried to remove the pro-Israel banner, but couldn’t. He then proceeded to slash the banner with a sharp object.

He then got back into the passenger’s seat of the car, which fled towards Julia Tuttle Causeway.

The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office Hate Crimes Unit and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office’s Violent Intervention Proactive Enforcement Response (VIPER) Unit investigated the act, which authorities described as antisemitic and hateful.

“Acts of antisemitism in the United States and throughout the world are on a dramatic rise,” Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner said in the release. “This is a serious concern for the Jewish people worldwide and we are making a statement here in Miami Beach that acts of antisemitism will be enforced and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones called the act a “horrendous crime.”

“This act, fueled by hate, has no place in the City of Miami Beach,” he said in the release, “and I am immensely proud of our investigators for their diligence and meticulousness, which led to a successful apprehension.”

This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.