Self-proclaimed ‘Jew-hater’ jailed over assault at anti-Israel protest

That December, Bazrouk attended a protest at a Manhattan university,  during which he stole an Israeli flag from a Jewish student and ran away. When the student gave chase, Bazrouk allegedly hid before sneaking up on him from behind and punching him in the face.

Then, a month later, in January of this year, Bazrouk reportedly attacked another person at a Manhattan protest. Wearing a keffiyeh, which was covering his face, he allegedly approached his victim and punched him on the nose.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) claimed that police also found that Bazrouk's phone contained material of an "antisemitic bias" and "support for anti-Jewish terrorist groups, including Hamas". It also said that he identified himself as a "Jew hater" and said that Jews were "worthless".

He pleaded guilty to one count in a plea deal signed in June. At a hearing on Tuesday, he was sentenced to 17 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

He could have faced up to 30 years behind bars if convicted of all three assaults, but the deal carried sentencing guidelines of 12-18 months.

Letters written by the alleged victims were read out at the hearing, according to Fox News. Part of one read: "Justice here means sending a message that hate and violence have no place in this city." Another read that Bazrouk's attacks were a "vicious campaign against Jews".

Bazrouk himself is also reported to have apologised in court, saying: "I’m sorry guys and hope you can forgive me for my actions.”

Jay Clayton, US attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement: "Despite being arrested after each incident, Bazrouk allegedly remained undeterred and quickly returned to using violence to target Jews in New York City."