Alleged Hamas Lover With A Dozen Past Arrests Slapped With DOJ Hate Crime Charges

A Department of Justice (DOJ) court document reveals a lengthy rap sheet in the case of an alleged Hamas sympathizer charged with assaulting multiple Jews in New York.

Tarek Bazrouk, 20, was arrested Wednesday morning and charged with three hate crimes after allegedly assaulting Jewish citizens over a nine-month period at Israel-related protests, the DOJ said in a Wednesday filing. The department reportedly convinced a judge to have Bazrouk detained after prosecutors brought evidence that he had writings in support of terrorist groups, identified as a “Jew hater,” had access to weapons and had 12 prior arrests, including one for operating an illegal drug facility.

“Bazrouk’s danger to the community and risk of flight are further 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 — including weapons found in a search of his apartment just this morning,” the DOJ said Wednesday.

Prosecutors said Bazrouk “physically assaulted at least three Jewish individuals at protests concerning the Israel/Gaza war” in April 2024, the following December and in January. Each time, the victim carried pro-Israel or Jewish apparel or were among a visibly Jewish crowd, they said.

“Despite being arrested after each incident (and several other times in the intervening months), Bazrouk remained undeterred and continued to use violence and intimidation to target Jews across Manhattan,” the DOJ said. The government cited witness statements, video footage and other evidence of the incidents.