US Charges NYC Resident with Three Federal Hate Crimes Against Jews

Tarek Bazrouk, a 20-year-old New York City resident, has been charged with three federal hate crimes for allegedly targeting and assaulting Jewish individuals at protests related to the Israel-Gaza war between April 2024 and January 2025. According to federal prosecutors, Bazrouk attacked visibly Jewish victims—some of whom were Columbia University students—by kicking and punching them, and on one occasion, stealing an Israeli flag while making anti-Semitic remarks. Authorities allege that despite being arrested after each incident, Bazrouk continued to engage in violence against Jewish individuals, motivated by anti-Semitic views and support for Hamas, as reflected in text messages obtained by investigators. Weapons were recovered from his home during his arrest. If convicted, Bazrouk faces up to 10 years in prison for each count. Prosecutors emphasized their commitment to aggressively prosecuting hate crimes and protecting victims of bigotry.