Ethnic intimidation charges dropped against women accused of vandalizing OSU's Hillel Center

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Two women accused of vandalizing OSU's Hillel Jewish Center have pleaded guilty to charges of trespassing, a misdemeanor.

The incident occurred last year. The women were initially accused of several charges, including ethnic intimidation, but the prosecutor says those charges have been dropped.

These demands come after Hillel officials called for a “reparations plan” instead.

This plan also included the prosecution dropping the other charges of ethnic intimidation, theft and malicious damage to property.

“Anti-Semitism has increased 360 percent since last October, and in Columbus, anti-Semitic incidents have increased 40 percent,” Julie Tilson Stanley, CEO of JewishColumbus, told WSYX.

According to City Attorney Zack Klien's office, there were six cases of ethnic intimidation last year.

Coincidentally, some of the recent ethnic intimidation charges against two Hilliard women accused of vandalizing OSU's Hillel Jewish Center were dropped.

They entered the building, shouted anti-Israel slogans and destroyed Israeli flags.

Lena Shabaneh, 20, and Oumaima Amri, 22, plead guilty to trespassing.

As part of the agreement, both women attended hours-long teaching sessions with Jewish students at Hillel, attended a dinner with a local rabbi and signed up for a workshop at the center.

They also spoke to Hillel’s board about their experiences.

“I can say with certainty that OSU Hillel, because of its leadership, has really sought thought partnership with experts to learn how to proceed, how to proceed thoughtfully, how to be transparent, how to hold people accountable and how to do the right thing,” added Tilson Stanley.

Klein's office said the other charges were dropped because the women had complied with those conditions.

According to court documents, neither of them was sentenced to prison or fined in the case.