Rockland man convicted in Israeli flag theft case now faces potential deportation
DHS says Yehonatan Ovadia is in ICE custody pending the outcome of immigration proceedings. He previously pleaded guilty in the theft of an Israeli flag from Ramapo Town Hall in 2023.
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A man who lived in Chestnut Ridge and previously pleaded guilty in connection with the theft of an Israeli flag from Ramapo Town Hall is now in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody and could face deportation.
Yehonatan Ovadia was one of the people arrested in November 2023 after an Israeli flag that had been raised at Ramapo Town Hall in the days following the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel was taken down and stolen.
According to a news release issued by the Ramapo Police Department at the time, Ovadia, then 32, was arrested on Nov. 15 and charged with criminal mischief in the fourth degree as a hate crime, petit larceny as a hate crime and conspiracy in the Sixth Degree as a hate crime.
Ovadia later pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and paid $25 to replace the stolen flag.
Now, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security says Ovadia was arrested by ICE in New York City on Aug. 28, 2026.
The spokesperson said Ovadia's criminal history includes "criminal mischief as a hate crime, petit larceny as a hate crime, conspiracy as a hate crime, and disorderly conduct."
According to DHS, Ovadia previously entered the United States legally on a temporary basis and was removed from the country. The agency said he then legally re-entered the United States on April 21, 2024, with authorization to remain until Nov. 2, 2025.
DHS said Ovadia will receive due process and remain in ICE custody while his immigration case moves forward.
The spokesperson added, "Under President [Donald] Trump and Secretary [Markwayne] Mullin, if you break the law, you will face the consequences. Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S."
Ovadia has reportedly been seen at anti-Israel protests as an anti-Zionist Hasidic Jew.
News 12 reached out to Ovadia's attorney for comment and has not received a response as of this report.
