Illinois man who pepper-sprayed pro-Palestinian protesters charged with hate crimes, authorities say

A 33-year-old man accused of pepper spraying pro-Palestinian protesters who gathered near an Israel solidarity rally over the weekend has been charged with hate crimes and aggravated battery, prosecutors said Wednesday. The Skokie, Illinois, man who authorities say used the pepper spray, which can irritate the eyes and cause a burning sensation and difficulty breathing, is charged with two felony counts of aggravated battery and two felony hate crime charges, according to Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s office. The confrontation broke out as about 1,000 people were gathered Sunday evening at a banquet hall in a northern Chicago suburb to show solidarity with Israel, and several hundred pro-Palestinian demonstrators rallied outside, according to police and event organizers.