Globe Briefs October 16

Arab-Israeli man fighting for ISIS killed in Iraq

An Arab-Israeli man who joined the jihadist group ISIS has been killed in fighting in Iraq. The parents of Ahmed Habashi, 23, were notified of his death over the weekend, according to Israeli media reports.

Habashi, who is from the Galilee in northern Israel, traveled with four friends in January to Turkey and from there to Syria, where he joined ISIS. He reportedly was killed near Ramadi in western Iraq. The family was notified of his death in a phone call from another Arab-Israeli friend who also joined the rebel group.

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Earlier this month, gardeners in the Israeli city of Nazareth Illit discovered a bag containing about 25 ISIS flags. In late September, a 24-year-old Arab-Israeli from Kfar Kana who was suspected of being associated with ISIS was arrested and questioned. And earlier last month, another Arab-Israeli was arrested for allegedly traveling to Syria and training with ISIS. Israel has made contact with the group illegal.

Historic Buffalo synagogue demolished despite demonstrators

The oldest synagogue in Buffalo, N.Y., was demolished despite the efforts of two demonstrators who chained themselves to a pillar in the building.

The Jefferson Avenue building was demolished on Saturday after the demonstrators, David Torke and Rabbi Drorah Setel, were peacefully removed and detained by police, the Buffalo News reported.

Police said the building posed a safety hazard and thus was condemned. Preservationists said it should have been listed as a historical landmark.

The building, which was designed in 1903 by A.E. Mink, once was the home of Congregation Ahavath Sholem, also known as the Jefferson Avenue Shul. It was sold in 1960 to Saints Home Church of God and later to Greater New Hope Church of God in Christ, which owned it for about 30 years. The building has been empty since 2005.

Penn State students sentenced for vandalizing Jewish frat

Two Penn State students who pleaded guilty to spray-painting anti-Semitic graffiti on a mostly Jewish fraternity house were sentenced to community service and probation.

Eric Hyland, 20, was sentenced last week in Centre County Court to 200 hours of community service and two years’ probation and ordered to pay $6,000 restitution. Last month, Hayden Grom was sentenced to 300 hours of community service and two years’ probation.

Last November, Hyland and Grom spray-painted swastikas and anti-Semitic words and images on the Beta Sigma Beta fraternity building, on cars parked outside the house and on a dumpster. Their actions were captured on security cameras.

The students were charged with ethnic intimidation, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct. They were kicked out of their own fraternity, Acacia, which reportedly condemned their actions.