Latest news with #TarekBazrouk
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Columbia protester and self-proclaimed ‘Jew-hater' had direct link to Hamas' terror cell, disturbing phone records reveal: DOJ
A 'Jew-hater' who protested against Israel on Columbia University's campus and contemplated setting a student on fire allegedly had a direct link to Hamas' deadly al-Qassam Brigades militant group, The Post can reveal. Tarek Bazrouk — awaiting trial after being indicted on three federal hate crimes against Jewish people — was 'a member of a chat group that received regular updates from Abu Obeida,' the official spokesperson for the brigades, according to allegations in federal documents. The accusation is the first evidence of an agitator receiving information directly from Hamas and taking action during protests on the university campus. Bazrouk, 20, who was not a Columbia student, also frequently wore the green headband used by Hamas terrorists and boasted to friends about having relatives overseas who were part of the terror group, prosecutors claim in a letter filed with the court. While on Columbia's campus during protests in April 2024, Bazrouk allegedly texted a pal saying he lit a flare and considered lighting someone on fire, but that there were 'too many' people around for him to take on, otherwise he 'would've hurted [sic] them.' Columbia University said it has no record of Bazrouk being on campus and wanted 'to be clear that this individual is not affiliated with our University in any way,' adding that the school 'strongly condemns antisemitism and violence, and we are horrified by the violence and hate crimes described in the indictment.' Bazrouk, a US citizen born and raised in New York, was also arrested next to the campus in December 2024 for one of the three attacks against Jewish people of which he stands accused. It is not clear how Bazrouk got on campus, which is private university property, but Columbia was beset with anti-Israel protesters shielded by masks throughout 2024, resulting in the NYPD being called to flush them out in April that year. At the time, NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban said 'professional outside agitators' were behind the escalated protests, which at one point saw an illegal takeover of one of the university's buildings. In Gaza, Hamas has previously taunted Israeli hostages by boasting that its tentacles are everywhere and 'bragged about having Hamas operatives on American university campuses,' specifically showing now-freed hostage Shlomi Ziv photos of antisemitic protests at Columbia, according to a lawsuit. Bazrouk's cellphone was 'littered with pro-Hamas and pro-Hizballah [sic] propaganda' showing his 'support for organizations that have murdered thousands of Jews and Israelis, killed and wounded US citizens and repeatedly avowed that they want to destroy both the United States and Israel,' federal prosecutors allege. The phone was found to have a picture of a late al-Qassam Brigades founder, terrorist Yahya Sinwar, who is credited as the architect behind the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre against Israel. He was killed in 2024. He also had a picture of Obeida and one of an individual waving a Hamas flag, and an al-Qassam Brigades meme, which reads: 'By God I would not trade the Al Qassam Brigades for the world and everything in it. May God be pleased with them and allow them to break the wicked enemy through him.' Also included are quotes from text messages in which Bazrouk allegedly identified himself as a 'Jew hater,' labeled Jews 'worthless,' exhorted 'Allah' to 'get us rid of [Jews],' called an acquittance a 'F—ing Jew,' and told a friend to 'slap that bitch' in reference to a woman with an Israeli sticker on her laptop, according to court documents. Bazrouk also told a friend that he was 'mad happy' to have learned that certain of his family members overseas are part of Hamas, the filing claims. Prosecutors also claimed that Bazrouk had traveled to the West Bank and Jordan for approximately three weeks in September and October 2024, which also poses questions regarding what he was doing there. Federal prosecutors told The Post they could not go into more detail than what was included in their indictment against Bazrouk, as they build their case against him. Bazrouk's defense attorney, Andrew Dalack, told The Post he rejects any connection between his client and Hamas, or any other terror organization, but did not comment further. Bazrouk's alleged crime streak stretches back to the same month as the Columbia building takeover. On April 15, 2024, he allegedly assaulted three Jewish people at a Gaza war protest outside the New York Stock Exchange. During that incident, Bazrouk allegedly lunged at a group carrying Israeli flags, according to the federal filing, and as he was being hauled away by cops, he allegedly kicked a Jewish college student in the stomach. In a text message four days later, he wrote that if he 'ever see(s)' a Jewish person, he is going to 'boom boom them,' according to prosecutors. He is also accused of slugging a Jewish Columbia University student in the face while allegedly ranting about Hitler and the Nazis in an unhinged flag-snatching tantrum near the Ivy League campus on Dec. 9. The victim in that ordeal, 22-year-old Jonathan Lederer, told The Post at the time that Bazrouk allegedly stole his brother's flag and then hit him for trying to intervene. One month later, Bazrouk again allegedly targeted a protester with an Israeli flag draped on his shoulders at a protest near Union Square on Jan. 6, according to prosecutors. Bazrouk, who was wearing a keffiyeh on his face, allegedly punched the victim in the face with a closed fist. Although Bazrouk was arrested after all three instances, he 'remained undeterred and quickly returned to using violence to target Jews in New York City,' according to US Attorney Jay Clayton of the Southern District of New York. Bazrouk has been in jail since May 7 this year, after feds charged him with three hate crimes over the string of alleged antisemitic attacks. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison if convicted. At the time of his arrest, federal agents searched Bazrouk's Manhattan home — where he lived with his parents and other family members — where they found a replica firearm, spent shell casings from a real gun, brass knuckles, and several weapons including four knives, including a switchblade which was in the pocket of one of his jackets and a hunting knife, per court documents. Investigators also found $750,000 in cash in a safe. At a May 20 bail hearing, Dalack said the money was likely profit from his job at Exotic Clouds, a smoke shop where he worked in Hartford, Connecticut. He was arrested in that state in December 2024 for 'operating a drug factory,' possessing drugs and having an intent to sell them. Federal documents detail how police also found 'large quantities of marijuana products' worth $25,000 at the business. Prosecutors argued that Bazrouk should be denied bail because he is allegedly a 'danger to the community and risk of flight … underscored by his support for terrorist groups, his avowed hatred of Jews, his history of violent threats and intimidation, including of a Jewish child at a New York City School, and his access to numerous weapons.' Bazrouk's actions are far from unique, according to Jewish groups. The lawsuit filed on behalf of former Hamas hostage Ziv and others names several groups it accused of having 'acted as Hamas' foot soldiers in New York City and on Columbia's campus.' Many similar accusations have been made against groups across the nation that have staged protests on campuses in favor of Palestinian causes — with many people not realizing they are throwing their support behind terror groups. 'We know groups in the USA have shared and promoted content from Hamas-run chat groups. We see this at protests around the country that have Hamas or Hezbollah flags,' warned Oren Segal, the Anti-Defamation League's SVP for counter-extremism and intelligence.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Jew hater' Columbia protester pleads guilty to 3 antisemitic hate crime assaults yet issues apology to Palestinian community
The self-described 'Jew hater' Columbia agitator who has alleged ties to a Hamas group chat pleaded guilty to a string of hate crimes targeting Jewish people, yet only asked for forgiveness from the Palestinian community. Tarek Bazrouk, 20, admitted to violently assaulting three Jewish people between April 2024 and January 2025 at several Manhattan protests of the war in Gaza, but used his chance to speak in Manhattan federal court to apologize not to Jews, but to the Palestinian community. 'I am sorry. I am Palestinian and I participated in the protest to display my outrage… I should not have used violence. I hope my family and community can forgive me,' Bazrouk said on Wednesday. The hollow apology stands in stark contrast to the fervor Bazrouk embodied while committing the targeted attacks against Jewish people during protests at Columbia University and in downtown Manhattan. On April 15, 2024, the 20-year-old kicked a man wearing a kippa in the chest as he stood with an Israeli flag and sang a Jewish song during a demonstration near the New York Stock Exchange. Bazrouk assaulted two other individuals during that same demonstration, according to prosecutors. Several days later, Bazrouk said he would 'boom boom boom' the next Jewish person he saw, text messages revealed. He then punched another kippa-wearing man in the face while the victim carried an Israeli flag during a protest on December 9, 2024, prosecutors said. The confessed antisemite punched yet another Israeli flag-bearer in the face at a protest earlier this year on January 6, according to court testimony. Bazrouk has no affiliation with Columbia, but was an outside agitator who joined the campus protests. The university said it has no record of him ever being on campus. Following his May arrest for the assaults, federal officials discovered more insidious evidence after searching Bazrouk's Manhattan home, where he lived with his parents and several other family members. Investigators seized four knives, a replica firearm, brass knuckles, $750,000 in cash in a safe, and Bazrouk's cell phone, which revealed chilling text messages. Bazrouk was 'a member of a chat group that received regular updates from Abu Obeda,' which is linked to Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades militant group, The Post revealed earlier this month. In text messages, the 20-year-old described himself as a 'Jew hater,' called Jewish people 'worthless,' and exhorted a friend to 'slap that bitch' in reference to a woman who had an Israel flag sticker on her laptop, court documents revealed. The 'Jew hater' further claimed to a friend that he was proud some of his family members were fighting with Hamas overseas, text messages showed. Lawyers for Bazrouk rejected any connection between their client and the terror organization. The $750,000 in cash was seized by the government, with Bazrouk agreeing to its forfeiture. Judge Richard Berman advised the hateful brute that he faces a maximum sentence of five years behind bars, two years supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Berman added that Bazrouk could also be forced to pay restitution to his victims. Bazrouk will have a sentencing hearing on October 1. He still has two pending cases in state court for the incidents in December and January.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Self-proclaimed 'Jew hater' pleads guilty after targeting victims at NYC protests
A New York man charged with federal hate crimes after repeatedly assaulting Jewish counter-protesters at anti-Israel protests in New York City between 2024 and 2025, pleaded guilty to one count as part of an agreement during a court hearing Wednesday. Tarek Bazrouk, 20, appeared Wednesday afternoon for a status hearing in federal court, where he was facing three counts of committing hate crimes for allegedly targeting and assaulting Jewish people at three NYC protests related to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. A grand jury indicted him last month. During the status hearing, Bazrouk pleaded guilty to one count as part of an agreement in which a superseding information document was presented. In essence, the document replaces a previously filed indictment in a criminal case. A bearded Bazrouk appeared in court wearing a tan jumpsuit and black eyeglasses and shuffled through papers while waiting for the hearing to get underway. Rise In Antisemitic Extremism Fuels Wave Of Terror Plots In The United States Since 2020 Judge Richard M. Berman presided over the hearing and began by saying he was informed Bazrouk was planning to plead guilty. After going through some documents and verifying with Bazrouk that was the route he wanted to take, Berman asked him if he wished to plead guilty. Read On The Fox News App "I wish to plead guilty," Bazrouk said. Bazrouk then read a statement saying, between April 2024 and January 2025, he assaulted others because of their identity. He further admitted to punching someone Jan. 6. "I am very sorry," Bazrouk said. Boulder Terror Attack Latest In Antisemitic Incidents Rising Across Us In 2025 He continued, explaining he is Palestinian and started to protest as a way to express outrage over Israel's actions in Gaza. Bazrouk apologized to his family and community before the judge asked if he was pleading to the superseding information. "Yes, your honor," Bazrouk said. The plea was then accepted, and he was found guilty. Sentencing is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 1. Boulder, Colorado Suspected Terror Attack Suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman Faces Murder, Assault, Other Charges Bazrouk was arrested for three instances of assaulting Jewish people but "remained undeterred and quickly returned to using violence to target Jews in New York City," according to U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton of the Southern District of New York. The first instance took place April 15, 2024, when Bazrouk, who the DOJ said was wearing a green headband "typically worn by Hamas terrorists," allegedly attended a protest outside the New York Stock Exchange in lower Manhattan. Virginia Man Charged With Planning 'Mass Casualty' Attack At Nyc Israeli Consulate He was arrested by the NYPD for lunging at a group of pro-Israel protesters, the DOJ said, and kicked a Jewish college student in the stomach while being taken to a patrol vehicle. The person he kicked was standing near Jewish protesters wearing kippahs, waving Israeli flags and singing Jewish songs. Bazrouk allegedly assaulted another Jewish student Dec. 9, 2024, during a protest near a university in upper Manhattan, the DOJ said. The second victim was with his brother – both were wearing kippahs – and had an Israeli flag draped across his shoulders while singing Jewish songs. Bazrouk was accused of stealing their flag and running off. The victim and his brother chased him through the crowd to retrieve it, and after they got it back, Bazrouk allegedly sneaked up beside the second victim and punched him in the face. At the beginning of this year, on Jan. 6, Bazrouk allegedly committed his third assault on a Jewish person at a protest in Manhattan. The third victim had an Israeli flag draped around his shoulders and was wearing a hat with the flag and a chain with the Star of David. Bazrouk was wearing a keffiyeh on his face when he allegedly "made contact" with the third victim's shoulder and wrapped his foot around his ankle. When the victim attempted to push him away, Bazrouk allegedly cursed at him and punched him in the nose. Law enforcement obtained warrants to search a cellphone allegedly used by Bazrouk, which revealed an "antisemitic bias" and "support for anti-Jewish terrorist groups, including Hamas," the DOJ said, citing court documents. Bazrouk allegedly identified himself as a "Jew hater" in text messages, called Jewish people "worthless" and said "Allah" wanted "us [to] rid of [Jews]," among other vulgar statements, according to the documents. The documents added he told a friend he was "mad happy" when he found out family members overseas were part of Hamas. The DOJ described his phone as "littered with pro-Hamas and pro-Hizballah (sic) propaganda." Fox News Digital's Kirill Clark and Elizabeth Pritchett contributed to this article source: Self-proclaimed 'Jew hater' pleads guilty after targeting victims at NYC protests
New York Post
19 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
‘Jew hater' Columbia protester pleads guilty to 3 antisemitic hate crime assaults yet issues apology to Palestinian community
The self-described 'Jew hater' Columbia agitator who has alleged ties to a Hamas cell pleaded guilty to a string of hate crimes targeting Jewish people, yet only asked for forgiveness from the Palestinian community. Tarek Bazrouk, 20, admitted to violently assaulting three Jewish people between April 2024 and January 2025 at several Manhattan protests of the war in Gaza, but used his chance to speak in Manhattan federal court to apologize not to Jews, but to the Palestinian community. 'I am sorry. I am Palestinian and I participated in the protest to display my outrage… I should not have used violence. I hope my family and community can forgive me,' Bazrouk said on Wednesday. 4 Tarek Bazrouk, 20, apologized to the Palestinian community in a court statement after pleading guilty to three hate crime attacks that targeted Jewish individuals. DCPI The hollow apology stands in stark contrast to the fervor Bazrouk embodied while committing the targeted attacks against Jewish people during protests at Columbia University and in downtown Manhattan. On April 15, 2024, the 20-year-old kicked a man wearing a kippa in the chest as he stood with an Israeli flag and sang a Jewish song during a demonstration near the New York Stock Exchange. Bazrouk assaulted two other individuals during that same demonstration, according to prosecutors. Several days later, Bazrouk said he would 'boom boom boom' the next Jewish person he saw, text messages revealed. He then punched another kippa-wearing man in the face while the victim carried an Israeli flag during a protest on December 9, 2024, prosecutors said. 4 Bazrouk had violent confrontations at several protests in 2024 and 2025. Instagram/jewhatedb The confessed antisemite punched yet another Israeli flag-bearer in the face at a protest earlier this year on January 6, according to court testimony. Following his May arrest for the assaults, federal officials discovered more insidious evidence after searching Bazrouk's Manhattan home, where he lived with his parents and several other family members. Investigators seized four knives, a replica firearm, brass knuckles, $750,000 in cash in a safe, and Bazrouk's cell phone, which revealed chilling text messages. Bazrouk was 'a member of a chat group that received regular updates from Abu Obeda,' which is linked to Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades militant group, The Post revealed earlier this month. 4 Bazrouk draped in the Palestinian flag at a protest in 2024. U.S. DOJ In text messages, the 20-year-old described himself as a 'Jew hater,' called Jewish people 'worthless,' and exhorted a friend to 'slap that bitch' in reference to a woman who had an Israel flag sticker on her laptop, court documents revealed. The 'Jew hater' further claimed to a friend that he was proud some of his family members were fighting with Hamas overseas, text messages showed. Lawyers for Bazrouk rejected any connection between their client and the terror organization. The $750,000 in cash was seized by the government, with Bazrouk agreeing to its forfeiture. 4 Police found several weapons, including four knives and brass knuckles, as well as $750,000 cash, after executing a warrant on Bazrouk's Manhattan home. U.S. DOJ Judge Richard Berman advised the hateful brute that he faces a maximum sentence of five years behind bars, two years supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Berman added that Bazrouk could also be forced to pay restitution to his victims. Bazrouk will have a sentencing hearing on October 1. He still has two pending cases in state court for the incidents in December and January.
Fox News
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Self-proclaimed 'Jew hater' pleads guilty after targeting victims at NYC protests
A New York man charged with federal hate crimes after repeatedly assaulting Jewish counter-protesters at anti-Israel protests in New York City between 2024 and 2025, pleaded guilty to one count as part of an agreement during a court hearing Wednesday. Tarek Bazrouk, 20, appeared Wednesday afternoon for a status hearing in federal court, where he was facing three counts of committing hate crimes for allegedly targeting and assaulting Jewish people at three NYC protests related to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. A grand jury indicted him last month. During the status hearing, Bazrouk pleaded guilty to one count as part of an agreement in which a superseding information document was presented. In essence, the document replaces a previously filed indictment in a criminal case. A bearded Bazrouk appeared in court wearing a tan jumpsuit and black eyeglasses and shuffled through papers while waiting for the hearing to get underway. Judge Richard M. Berman presided over the hearing and began by saying he was informed Bazrouk was planning to plead guilty. After going through some documents and verifying with Bazrouk that was the route he wanted to take, Berman asked him if he wished to plead guilty. "I wish to plead guilty," Bazrouk said. Bazrouk then read a statement saying, between April 2024 and January 2025, he assaulted others because of their identity. He further admitted to punching someone Jan. 6. "I am very sorry," Bazrouk said. He continued, explaining he is Palestinian and started to protest as a way to express outrage over Israel's actions in Gaza. Bazrouk apologized to his family and community before the judge asked if he was pleading to the superseding information. "Yes, your honor," Bazrouk said. The plea was then accepted, and he was found guilty. Sentencing is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 1. Bazrouk was arrested for three instances of assaulting Jewish people but "remained undeterred and quickly returned to using violence to target Jews in New York City," according to U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton of the Southern District of New York. The first instance took place April 15, 2024, when Bazrouk, who the DOJ said was wearing a green headband "typically worn by Hamas terrorists," allegedly attended a protest outside the New York Stock Exchange in lower Manhattan. He was arrested by the NYPD for lunging at a group of pro-Israel protesters, the DOJ said, and kicked a Jewish college student in the stomach while being taken to a patrol vehicle. The person he kicked was standing near Jewish protesters wearing kippahs, waving Israeli flags and singing Jewish songs. Bazrouk allegedly assaulted another Jewish student Dec. 9, 2024, during a protest near a university in upper Manhattan, the DOJ said. The second victim was with his brother – both were wearing kippahs – and had an Israeli flag draped across his shoulders while singing Jewish songs. Bazrouk was accused of stealing their flag and running off. The victim and his brother chased him through the crowd to retrieve it, and after they got it back, Bazrouk allegedly sneaked up beside the second victim and punched him in the face. At the beginning of this year, on Jan. 6, Bazrouk allegedly committed his third assault on a Jewish person at a protest in Manhattan. The third victim had an Israeli flag draped around his shoulders and was wearing a hat with the flag and a chain with the Star of David. Bazrouk was wearing a keffiyeh on his face when he allegedly "made contact" with the third victim's shoulder and wrapped his foot around his ankle. When the victim attempted to push him away, Bazrouk allegedly cursed at him and punched him in the nose. Law enforcement obtained warrants to search a cellphone allegedly used by Bazrouk, which revealed an "antisemitic bias" and "support for anti-Jewish terrorist groups, including Hamas," the DOJ said, citing court documents. Bazrouk allegedly identified himself as a "Jew hater" in text messages, called Jewish people "worthless" and said "Allah" wanted "us [to] rid of [Jews]," among other vulgar statements, according to the documents. The documents added he told a friend he was "mad happy" when he found out family members overseas were part of Hamas. The DOJ described his phone as "littered with pro-Hamas and pro-Hizballah (sic) propaganda."
