Indiana: Home with Israeli flag torched in arson attack

Police probe arson attack against historic home in Zionsville, Indiana, that was adorned with American and Israeli flags.

By World Israel News Staff

Local authorities are investigating a suspected arson attack after an Israeli flag was apparently set on fire outside a historic building in Zionsville, causing more than $150,000 in damage.

Firefighters were called to 195 S. Main Street at about 1:41 a.m. on Friday, July 10. The house, which once served as an antique shop in Zionsville’s historic commercial district, was empty at the time.

Crews brought the blaze under control within approximately 15 minutes, and no injuries were reported.

Investigators believe the fire began after someone deliberately ignited an Israeli flag that had hung outside the building alongside an American flag. Zionsville Mayor John Stehr said surveillance footage and the pattern of the fire indicated that the flag may have been the initial target.

“It breaks my heart. This isn’t the people that I know in Zionsville. This doesn’t define Zionsville,” Stehr said.

Police are examining whether the incident was motivated by antisemitic or political bias, but officials said no final determination about the motive had been made.

Police had not publicly identified a suspect as of Monday.

The Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council and other Jewish organizations condemned what they described as an apparent act of intimidation.

The groups said that while the motive remained under investigation, they were “deeply concerned” that the Israeli and American flags displayed outside the building may have been deliberately targeted.

Members of central Indiana’s Jewish community gathered outside the damaged building on Sunday, carrying Israeli and American flags and denouncing antisemitism and political violence.

David Schiller, who organized the rally, said Americans should resolve political disagreements peacefully rather than through attacks on property.

“The founding fathers founded a country where we have the ability to resolve differences among each other,” Schiller said. “We don’t do it by firebombing homes.”

Bob and Rose-Marie Goodman, who own a jewelry store near the damaged property, said opposition to the Israeli government could not justify setting fire to a symbol that many Jews view as representing their identity and community.

“Hate is not something we can accept anywhere,” Rose-Marie Goodman said.

Former Vice President Mike Pence, who lives in Zionsville, condemned the apparent attack and shared photographs showing the building before and after the fire.

Pence called the incident “absolutely despicable.”

“There can be no tolerance in America for antisemitism or political acts of violence,” he said.

Pence said he was thankful that no one had been injured and urged anyone with information to contact investigators.

Republican Indiana Sen. Jim Banks also called for those responsible to be brought to justice.

“Antisemitism will not be tolerated. Not in Zionsville. Not in Indiana. Not anywhere,” Banks said.

State Rep. Becky Cash, whose district includes Zionsville, described herself as horrified by the incident and said arson and other crimes could not be defended as legitimate political speech.

The building had displayed the Israeli flag for approximately three years, according to local officials.