The Department of Justice is charging a 20-year-old with hate crimes after he allegedly assaulted Jewish people with connections to Columbia University during protests this year and last against the war between Israel and Hamas.<\/p>\n
Tarek Bazrouk was arrested and charged with three counts of hate crimes Wednesday after the government says he assaulted Jewish people, including two Columbia students, in three separate incidents.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAs alleged, on three separate occasions, Tarek Bazrouk deliberately targeted and assaulted Jewish victims at protests relating to the Israel\/Gaza war,\u201d U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said in a press release.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite being arrested after each incident, Bazrouk allegedly remained undeterred and quickly returned to using violence to target Jews in New York City. This Office is dedicated to seeking justice for victims of hate crimes and will aggressively prosecute those who spread bigotry and discrimination through violence,\u201d Clayton added.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The first incident happened April 15, 2024, when Bazrouk \u2014\u00a0who is not identified as a Columbia student \u2014\u00a0was arrested by officers during a protest and on his way to the police vehicle allegedly kicked a Jewish student, who was wearing a kippah and carrying an Israeli flag, in the stomach.<\/p>\n
On Dec. 9, Bazrouk reportedly punched a Jewish student in the face after stealing an Israeli flag from the victim’s brother. And the last incident occurred Jan. 6, when Bazrouk allegedly punched another Jewish person in the face.<\/p>\n
The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Richard Berman.\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to court documents, authorities discovered text messages in which Bazrouk identified himself as a \u201cJew hater,\u201d said Jewish people were \u201cworthless\u201d and was happy to find out he had family members in Hamas.<\/p>\n
Authorities said his phone was also filled with support for Hamas and Hezbollah.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Each hate crime charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. \u00a0<\/p>\n