DOJ charges man with hate crimes over Columbia protests

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.

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.

“As alleged, on three separate occasions, Tarek Bazrouk deliberately targeted and assaulted Jewish victims at protests relating to the Israel/Gaza war,” U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said in a press release.

“Despite 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,” Clayton added.

The first incident happened April 15, 2024, when Bazrouk — who is not identified as a Columbia student — was 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.

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.

The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Richard Berman.

According to court documents, authorities discovered text messages in which Bazrouk identified himself as a “Jew hater,” said Jewish people were “worthless” and was happy to find out he had family members in Hamas.

Authorities said his phone was also filled with support for Hamas and Hezbollah.

Each hate crime charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

The arrest came the same day some 80 pro-Palestinian activists were detained after they stormed Columbia University’s library, injuring two employees in the largest protest the school has seen this year.