A 64-year-old Illinois woman, Alexandra Szustakiewicz, faces multiple hate crime charges after allegedly assaulting a Palestinian-American couple at a Panera Bread in Downers Grove, Illinois, on Saturday. The incident, which escalated into physical and verbal abuse, was captured on video and has drawn widespread condemnation.
Confrontation at Panera Bread
According to prosecutors, Szustakiewicz approached a man wearing a sweatshirt emblazoned with “Palestine” and shouted expletives at him. The man, identified as Waseem Zahran, was dining with his pregnant wife when the situation escalated. Witnesses and video footage revealed that Szustakiewicz attempted to strike a cell phone out of Zahran’s wife’s hands as she recorded the encounter.
Read More: Palestine hails Spain’s call to halt arms exports to Israel
Zahran recounted that Szustakiewicz initially made an offensive remark, “F Palestine,” which he did not understand due to her accent. When she repeated it, she moved closer, becoming increasingly aggressive. Video footage shows Zahran stepping between his wife and Szustakiewicz to shield her from the physical assault. At one point, Szustakiewicz attempted to throw a cup of coffee at the couple, prompting Zahran to spill its contents to prevent harm.
Arrest and Charges
Authorities arrested Szustakiewicz the day after the altercation. She has been charged with two counts of felony hate crime and one count of misdemeanor disorderly conduct. DuPage County prosecutors argued that the crime was motivated by the victims’ perceived national origin.
In court, a judge granted prosecutors’ requests for Szustakiewicz to have no contact with the victims and to refrain from entering the Panera Bread location where the incident occurred. She is scheduled to appear for arraignment on December 16.
Video Evidence and Public Reaction
A video of the incident, shared widely on social media, has garnered over one million views. It shows Szustakiewicz attempting to hit Zahran while he repeatedly asks her to stop. She is also seen approaching a cash register, demanding staff call the police, and later lunging again at the couple.
Zahran expressed disappointment over the attack, saying, “I’m a born and raised American who took his wife out for lunch. I was not able to do that simply because I was Palestinian.” He emphasized his pride in both his heritage and his American identity.
Broader Context of Hate Crimes
The incident comes amid a rise in hate crimes targeting Muslim and Palestinian communities. The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned Szustakiewicz’s actions as “shameful and abusive.” CAIR highlighted that such incidents reflect growing hostility towards Palestinian-Americans and the Muslim community.
In its recent report, CAIR documented a 69% increase in anti-Muslim hate incidents in the first half of 2024 compared to 2023. The organization attributes the rise in bias-related attacks to escalating tensions following the October 2023 Israel-Hamas conflict.
Read More: Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda wins Emmy Award for moving …
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin emphasized the importance of addressing hate crimes, stating, “This type of behavior and the accompanying prejudice have no place in a civilized society.” Similarly, Downers Grove Police Chief Michael DeVries affirmed that such conduct would not be tolerated in the community.