Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
A New York man, Tarek Bazrouk, has been sentenced to 17 months in prison for hate crimes after repeatedly assaulting Jewish individuals at protests related to the Israel/Hamas war. The sentencing took place on October 28, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated: “Tarek Bazrouk repeatedly attacked Jewish victims at protests relating to the Israel/Hamas war. He targeted these New Yorkers based on their religion and national origin. And he was undeterred by multiple arrests following these assaults, instead quickly returning to violently targeting Jews. The prosecution of this case and the sentence imposed make clear that New Yorkers will not tolerate hate-based violence and that this Office will aggressively prosecute those who perpetrate senseless crimes of hate.”
Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office, said: “Despite repeated arrests, Tarek Bazrouk continued to attack Jewish victims while shamelessly expressing his hatred for those of the Jewish faith and demonstrating his support for anti-Semitic terrorist organizations. Bazrouk’s relentless torment violated these New Yorkers’ ability to safely express their beliefs through protests and religious outerwear. May this sentencing highlight the FBI’s intolerance of any individual who allows hate and prejudice to justify violent rhetoric and actions against others.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch commented: “Tarek Bazrouk not only targeted and assaulted his victims because of their faith — he attacked every Jewish New Yorker who should be able to practice their religion freely and without fear,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “This sentencing sends a clear message: antisemitism or any act of violence driven by hate will never be tolerated in our city, and the NYPD will continue to hold accountable anyone who threatens the religious identity of New Yorkers. I thank the NYPD investigators, the FBI, and the prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their unwavering work in bringing Tarek Bazrouk to justice."
Court documents show that over a nine-month period between April 2024 and January 2025, Bazrouk physically assaulted three different Jewish individuals during protests about the Israel/Hamas conflict in Manhattan.
The first incident occurred on April 15, 2024 outside the New York Stock Exchange when Bazrouk was arrested after lunging at pro-Israel protestors; while being escorted away by police officers he kicked a Jewish college student standing with other visibly Jewish protestors.
On December 9, 2024 near Columbia University, Bazrouk stole an Israeli flag from one victim's brother before striking another victim—a Columbia student wearing a kippah—in the face.
The third assault happened on January 6, 2025 near First Avenue and East 18th Street when Bazrouk punched a man wearing symbols associated with Judaism after making contact with him during another protest.
Searches conducted under court warrants revealed evidence from Bazrouk’s cellphones indicating anti-Semitic bias as well as support for groups such as Hamas and Hizballah; messages included self-identification as a "Jew hater" along with derogatory language toward Jews.
In addition to serving time in prison, Bazrouk—who is now 20 years old—will have three years of supervised release following his sentence.
U.S. Attorney Clayton commended both federal agents from the FBI as well as local authorities including Manhattan District Attorney’s Office staffers and NYPD officers for their roles in investigating this case.
The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sam Adelsberg and Jim Ligtenberg from the Civil Rights and Human Trafficking Unit within the Criminal Division.
