Wisconsin Congressional Candidate Arrested After Anti-Israel Tirade

Matthew Arndt, a candidate for Wisconsin's 6th Congressional District, was arrested on Thursday and charged with disorderly conduct with a hate crime enhancer following a verbal altercation with an Israeli man in the Milwaukee suburb of Mequon. The incident occurred after Arndt allegedly cut off the man's car, which displayed an anti-Hamas bumper sticker.

The confrontation escalated when the two drivers pulled into a gas station, where the Israeli man began recording Arndt. In the video, Arndt can be heard shouting expletives and repeatedly calling the man a "f–king Israel f–king traitor," "f–k you," and "f–k Israel."

Arndt, who is running on a Green Party platform, openly acknowledged his congressional bid during the tirade, telling the man to "Go post it on social media. I’m running for Congress in the 6th District, and f–k Israel! Go f–k yourself!" He also targeted the "Israel lobby" and "neocons."

The Israeli man, who has lived in the U.S. for about 12 years, stated that the encounter began while he was driving his young son to school. He explained that his bumper sticker, featuring an Israeli flag with "F–k Hamas," was aimed at the designated terror organization and not at Palestinians. He expressed discomfort with Arndt's aggressive behavior, especially with his son present.

Arndt's campaign website, "End the Cartel," advocates for political reform and taking on powerful interests. The site also promotes religious tolerance, stating, "America is for all of us—or it is not America at all. And any politics that teaches us to hate each other is not patriotism. It is poison."

However, the Green Party has adopted a critical stance on Israel. The party's UK branch recently voted to equate Zionism, support for the state of Israel, with bigotry.

Arndt, who is also a certified public accountant and investment adviser, did not respond to requests for comment. The charge includes a hate crime enhancer, indicating the bias motivation behind the alleged offense.