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 between 2024 and 2025. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman on October 28, 2025.
Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, 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.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia commented: “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 added: “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 about nine months, Bazrouk physically assaulted three Jewish people during protests about the Israel/Hamas conflict in Manhattan.
On April 15, 2024, at a protest outside the New York Stock Exchange, Bazrouk—who was wearing a green headband associated with Hamas—was arrested after lunging at pro-Israel demonstrators. While being escorted by police, he kicked a Jewish college student standing among other visibly Jewish protesters.
On December 9, 2024, near Columbia University, Bazrouk assaulted another Jewish student by stealing an Israeli flag from his brother and later striking him in the face after being followed through a crowd.
The third incident occurred on January 6, 2025 near 1st Avenue and East 18th Street in Manhattan when Bazrouk punched another visibly Jewish protester in the nose after making contact with him during a demonstration.
Law enforcement searched cellphones used by Bazrouk under judicial warrants and found evidence indicating anti-Semitic bias as well as support for terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hizballah. Messages showed him identifying himself as a “Jew hater,” using derogatory language toward Jews, expressing approval of family members involved with Hamas overseas, and sharing propaganda supporting groups responsible for violence against Jews.
In addition to his prison term, Bazrouk was sentenced to three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Clayton commended the efforts of both federal agents and local law enforcement involved 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.
