Federal prosecutors have now reportedly charged Tarek Bazrouk, a 20-year-old New York resident, with multiple hate crimes stemming from violent attacks on Jewish individuals during pro-Palestinian protests near Columbia University.
Authorities say Bazrouk maintained direct contact with Hamas operatives and openly expressed antisemitic views.
Investigators uncovered evidence that Bazrouk was part of a messaging group receiving updates from Hamas’s military wing spokesman.
His phone contained messages where he described himself as a “Jew hater” and shared content supportive of the terrorist organization.
Prosecutors detailed several assaults between April 2024 and January 2025 in which Bazrouk allegedly punched and kicked Jewish victims while shouting hateful slurs.
Despite previous arrests related to these incidents, he is accused of continuing his violent behavior.
When law enforcement arrested Bazrouk in May 2025, they found a large sum of cash—$750,000—along with weapons and a replica firearm at his home. His attorney stated the money came from his work at a smoke shop.
The case has heightened concerns about extremist influences infiltrating campus protests and sparking violence. Columbia University, where the attacks occurred nearby, has come under criticism for its response to rising antisemitism during recent demonstrations.
As the legal process moves forward, questions remain about ensuring campus safety and addressing the presence of extremist ideologies within protest movements.
The case underscores the challenges authorities face in monitoring and preventing politically motivated violence linked to foreign terrorist groups.
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