A 20-year-old New York City man has been charged with three federal hate crimes in connection with a series of assaults targeting Jewish individuals during protests related to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The indictment against Tarek Bazrouk was unsealed Tuesday in the Southern District of New York, following his arrest earlier in the day. He is expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron.
According to federal prosecutors, Bazrouk deliberately attacked Jewish victims at three separate protests between April 2024 and January 2025, each time physically assaulting individuals who were visibly identifiable as Jewish by clothing, symbols, or religious items. Despite being arrested after each incident, he allegedly continued the attacks.
In the first assault on April 15, 2024, Bazrouk reportedly kicked a Jewish college student in the stomach near the New York Stock Exchange. The victim was standing with others wearing kippahs and carrying Israeli flags. In a second incident on December 9, 2024, Bazrouk allegedly struck another Jewish student in the face after stealing an Israeli flag near a university campus in Upper Manhattan. The final attack occurred on January 6, 2025, when Bazrouk punched a third victim in the nose at a protest near 1st Avenue and East 18th Street.
“Despite being arrested after each incident, Bazrouk allegedly remained undeterred and quickly returned to using violence to target Jews in New York City,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “This Office is dedicated to seeking justice for victims of hate crimes and will aggressively prosecute those who spread bigotry and discrimination through violence.”
Key points
- Tarek Bazrouk is charged with three federal hate crimes for assaults targeting Jewish individuals at New York protests.
- The attacks occurred between April 2024 and January 2025 and were motivated by anti-Semitic views, prosecutors allege.
- Bazrouk faces up to 10 years in prison for each count if convicted.
Evidence and official statements
Investigators obtained search warrants for Bazrouk’s cellphone, uncovering messages expressing support for Hamas and Hizballah, and numerous anti-Semitic statements. In texts, Bazrouk referred to himself as a “Jew hater,” described Jews as “worthless,” and praised family members allegedly affiliated with Hamas. Authorities say this evidence demonstrates a clear bias motivation behind the assaults.
“This behavior not only violated the victims’ ability to exercise their First Amendment rights, but also intimidated and sparked fear among a broader population,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia. “The FBI won’t tolerate this behavior and will apprehend any individual who commits a federal crime seeking to harm others for their religious beliefs.”
Bazrouk’s arrest follows a coordinated investigation between the NYPD, FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch stated, “Antisemitism and all forms of bigotry have no home here in New York — period.”
Bazrouk is currently in federal custody and will face prosecution before U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman. Each hate crime count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.