Tarek Bazrouk could have been jailed for up to 30 years for anti-Semitic attacks, but will instead serve 17 months.
The 20-year-old Palestinian American, who prosecutors say supports Hamas and Hezbollah, was accused of multiple federal hate crimes. He was accused of punching and kicking Jewish protesters at several pro-Israel rallies over a nine-month period in New York City beginning last year. He pleaded guilty to one count in a plea bargain.
“I think it’s disgusting. I was wearing an Israeli flag. I was wearing my hat with the Israeli flag. I had my Jewish star out… it’s just disgusting what he did,” said pro-Israel protester Roman Efraimov. He was identified as the last person to attack Tarek at a rally earlier this year.
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Sketch by Tarek Bazrouk in New York City federal court on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. Bazrouk was sentenced to 17 months in prison for attacking Jewish counter-protesters between 2024 and 2025. (Jane Rosenberg)
Court papers say Bazrouk “identified himself as a Jew-hater, labeled Jews as worthless, urged Allah to rid us of Jews,” and in a text message from prosecutors wished he could set a Jewish protester on fire.
But in court he was contrite and said he apologized.
“I’m sorry, guys, and I hope you forgive me for my actions,” Bazrouk said, turning to address Efraimov and Elisha Baker, who said he was attacked by Bazrouk. “I promise you, judge, that if you give me the chance, you won’t be disappointed.”
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“I don’t believe he has any remorse or knows the seriousness of the crime,” Efraimov said. He said Bazrouk “grinned” at him in the courtroom.
“He turned around a few times and had a grin on his face, and that was disturbing.”
Bazrouk was accused of attacking Jews at three protests — the first outside the New York Stock Exchange, the second at a rally near Columbia University, and the last at a demonstration on Manhattan’s East Side, where Efraimov said Bazrouk punched him in the face.
Sketch of Tarek Bazrouk in New York City federal court on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. Bazrouk was sentenced to 17 months in prison for assaulting Jewish counter-protesters between 2024 and 2025. (Jane Rosenberg) (Jane Rosenberg)
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“If you attack someone for no reason, just because that random person is an actual or perceived Jew,” Judge Berman said, “because you, the attacker, hate Jews, chances are you will go to jail. It’s that simple.”
Authorities also say they found $750,000 in cash in Bazrouk’s apartment, as well as weapons, and that he has an arrest record that includes theft, assault and running a drug factory in Hartford, Connecticut. These charges are still pending.
Supporters claim Bazrouk was the victim of “political repression.” The Palestinian Youth Movement group said he has been “detained in federal prison for his activism” and that “he needs community support.” His lawyer, Andrew Dalack, denied that Bazrouk supports Hamas and Hezbollah and argued for a six-month prison sentence.
But those who said Bazrouk attacked them said the longer sentence has meaning for those who want to attack Jews.
School officials continue to negotiate with students to clear an anti-Israel encampment at Columbia University in New York. (Getty Images)
“The court sent a message today, and that is: If you attack Jews based on their Judaism — if you attack people like me because I wear a yarmulke and a blue square — you will be held accountable. And that is the promise of America, and I’m grateful to the court for sending that message,” Baker said.
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