‘We will kill you’: Indian-American woman’s threatening rant at Gaza meeting

An Indian-American anti-Israel protester has been arrested and charged after threatening to “kill” a mayor and city council members during a local council hearing in Bakersfield, California. Riddhi Patel (28) expressed dismay at the failure of Security Council members to support a ceasefire resolution against Israel in Gaza and the strict security measures imposed outside government buildings due to anti-Israel protests in the United States.

In his speech, Patel, who faces 16 felony charges, also quoted Mahatma Gandhi and said “Jesus Christ may” kill all lawmakers who do not support the resolution. A video of her remarks went viral on social media.

“You are all terrible people and Jesus would probably kill you with his own hands. You all don’t care because you don’t care about anything that happens in Palestine or any other country where oppression happens. “You don’t care that oppression happens here,” she said .

She also slammed the increased security at government buildings across the U.S. following police crackdowns on anti-Israel protests.

“…those of you who voted for Bakersfield to win, marched around Gandhi, and started a Hindu festival this week called Chaitra Navaratri. I remind you that we and the rest of the Southern Hemisphere are Celebrate these holidays and believe in violent revolution against the oppressors,” she said.

“I hope one day, someone puts a guillotine on you and kills all of you,” Patel added.

Patel went on to rant that those elected “will backstab you” and “leave you to fend for yourself.” She claimed anti-Israel protesters were “criminalized by metal detectors” and said, “We will meet at your house and we will murder you,” and she threatened Bakersfield Mayor Karen Wu and city council members.

“In the last five years I’ve been to city council meetings, there’s never been metal detectors or more police. The only reason you do that is because people don’t actually care if you don’t like them, and they Actually resisting, so you want to criminalize them,” she further said.

As Patel left the podium after speaking, Wu gestured to police officers in the hall and accused the Indian-American woman of threats.

“Ms. Patel, the last thing you said was a threat. So the police are going to escort you out and deal with this,” she said.

According to Fox News, Bakersfield police officer Eric Celedon said that Patel was taken into custody and faces 16 felony charges.

Of the 16 felony counts, eight were related to threats with intent to intimidate and eight were related to threats against the mayor and City Council members.

Anti-Israel protesters who were present with Patel distanced themselves from her remarks, calling them “shocking.”

“Ridhi Patel’s comments are appalling. They in no way represent those of us who continue to come to City Council to demand a ceasefire and an end to the (Gaza) genocide. I ask that this does not distract anyone from our mission End the genocide now,” said protester Jenny Huh.

The Hindu America Foundation, a nonprofit advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., condemned Patel’s threatening remarks.

“We are outraged that this man was invoking Gandhi and Chaitra Navaratri while threatening to murder Bakersfield leaders. The escalation of anti-Semitic rhetoric from anti-Israel demonstrations to terrorist threats is A horrific reality that we condemn. It must stop now,” the Hindu American Foundation wrote on the X.

Hamas suddenly attacked Israel on October 7 last year, triggering a six-month war that killed more than 33,000 people. Many countries and international organizations, including the United States, are urging Israel to cease fire in Gaza.

Israel, which has vowed to keep fighting until Hamas is “annihilated”, also faces an imminent threat from Iran after this month’s attack on the Iranian embassy in Syria.