Tarek Bazrouk, facing potential sentences of up to 30 years for antisemitic assaults, has instead received a 17-month term.
The 20-year-old Palestinian American, whom prosecutors allege to be a supporter of Hamas and Hezbollah, faced multiple federal hate crime charges. He stood accused of assaulting Jewish demonstrators by punching and kicking them at numerous pro-Israel gatherings in New York City, spanning nine months from last year. He accepted a plea bargain, admitting guilt to a single charge.
“I find it abhorrent. I had an Israeli flag on, a hat with an Israeli flag, and my Jewish star displayed… what he did is simply revolting,” stated Roman Efraimov, a pro-Israel protester. He was identified as the final individual Tarek assaulted at a demonstration earlier this year.
According to court documents, Bazrouk “proclaimed himself a Jew-hater, deemed Jews to be without value, urged Allah to rid us of Jews,” and, in a text message prosecutors presented, expressed a desire to ignite a Jewish demonstrator.
However, in court, he appeared regretful and offered an apology.
“I apologize, everyone, and I hope you can forgive me for what I’ve done,” Bazrouk stated, turning to face Efraimov and Elisha Baker, both of whom claimed to have been attacked by him. “I assure you, Judge, if granted an opportunity, you will not regret it.”
“I do not believe he feels remorse or comprehends the gravity of his offense,” Efraimov remarked, noting that Bazrouk “smirked” in his direction during the court proceedings.
“He glanced back several times, displaying a smirk, which I found unsettling.”
Bazrouk faced charges for assaulting Jewish individuals at three separate protests: initially outside the New York Stock Exchange, then at a gathering close to Columbia University, and finally at a demonstration on Manhattan’s East Side, where Efraimov alleged Bazrouk struck him in the face.
“If you attack someone without provocation simply because that individual is an actual or perceived Jew,” Judge Berman stated, “due to your animosity towards Jews, you will almost certainly be incarcerated. It’s as straightforward as that.”
Authorities further reported the discovery of $750,000 in cash and various weapons at Bazrouk’s residence, in addition to an arrest history encompassing robbery, assault, and running a drug manufacturing operation in Hartford, Connecticut. These charges remain unresolved.
Conversely, his supporters assert that Bazrouk has been subjected to “political repression.” The Palestinian Youth Movement stated he “has been detained in a federal prison for his advocacy” and requires “community assistance.” His attorney, Andrew Dalack, refuted claims that Bazrouk backs Hamas and Hezbollah, advocating for a six-month incarceration period.
However, individuals claiming to have been assaulted by Bazrouk expressed that the extended sentence conveys a significant message to those intending to target Jews.
“The court delivered a clear message today: if you assault Jews because of their Judaism—if you attack individuals like myself for wearing a kippah and a blue square—you will face consequences. This embodies America’s promise, and I appreciate the court for conveying this message,” Baker stated.
“He claimed to care about the suffering in Palestine, yet he made no mention of the families of those killed by Hamas,” Efraimov informed . ” is dreadful.”
producer David Hammelburg contributed to this article.