A Columbia University protestor who pled guilty to assaulting Jews in Manhattan apologized to Palestinians instead of his victims while authorities discovered weapons, $750,000 cash, and Hamas connections in his home.
At a Glance
- Tarek Bazrouk, 20, pled guilty to three federal hate crimes for attacking Jewish individuals during anti-Israel protests in Manhattan
- FBI found weapons, $750,000 in cash, and evidence of Hamas connections in Bazrouk’s residence
- Bazrouk admitted to targeting Jews between April 2024 and January 2025, describing himself as a “Jew hater” in private messages
- During his guilty plea, he apologized to the Palestinian community but not to his Jewish victims
- He faces up to five years in federal prison, $250,000 in fines, and victim restitution at his October 1, 2025 sentencing
Violent Acts and Antisemitic Motivation
Tarek Bazrouk, a 20-year-old involved in anti-Israel protests, has pled guilty to committing three federal hate crimes against Jewish individuals in Manhattan. The attacks occurred between April 2024 and January 2025, with one high-profile incident involving Columbia student Jonathan Lederer. During this confrontation, Bazrouk reportedly tore away an Israeli flag and physically assaulted Lederer while shouting Nazi slogans. Other incidents included kicking a man wearing a kippa and attacking people carrying Israeli flags.
Private messages revealed Bazrouk’s deep-seated antisemitism, where he described Jews as “worthless” and labeled himself a “Jew hater.” These communications, discovered by federal investigators, demonstrated that his violence was motivated by religious hatred rather than mere political disagreement. The pattern of targeting individuals based solely on their Jewish identity established the basis for federal hate crime charges.
‘Jew hater’ Columbia protester pleads guilty to 3 antisemitic hate crime assaults yet issues apology to Palestinian community https://t.co/RSez4LqTpG pic.twitter.com/o9T0cTZFDR
— New York Post (@nypost) June 12, 2025
Weapons Cache and Terrorist Connections
When federal agents searched Bazrouk’s residence, they discovered an alarming cache of evidence. The FBI found weapons, $750,000 in cash, and images of Bazrouk firing rifles at shooting ranges. This substantial amount of unexplained cash raised serious questions about Bazrouk’s funding sources and potential connections to organized extremist networks. The weapons collection suggested preparation beyond mere protest participation.
“I am Palestinian and I participated in the protest to display my outrage.”, said Tarek Bazrouk.
Digital evidence revealed Bazrouk’s active participation in online chat groups sharing updates from Hamas. Investigators found he was specifically linked to a chat group associated with Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the terrorist organization. Bazrouk also reportedly expressed pride in family members allegedly fighting with Hamas. Despite these connections, his defense attorneys have denied any formal terrorist affiliations.
Legal Consequences and Controversial Apology
Bazrouk now faces serious legal consequences for his actions. He could receive up to five years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and will likely be ordered to pay restitution to his victims. Beyond the federal charges, Bazrouk is also facing additional state-level assault charges for incidents that occurred in December 2024 and January 2025. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 1, 2025.
“I told them I support a two-state solution, I want peace on both sides. But they didn’t want to hear it.”, said Jonathan Lederer.
Perhaps most controversially, during his guilty plea, Bazrouk failed to apologize to his Jewish victims. Instead, he expressed remorse only to his family and the Palestinian community, stating: “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.” This selective apology has further inflamed tensions and raised questions about whether Bazrouk truly understands the gravity of his hate-motivated crimes.
Campus Extremism Concerns
While Bazrouk participated in protests at Columbia University, he had no official affiliation with the institution. Nevertheless, his case highlights growing concerns about radicalized campus activism and how anti-Israel demonstrations can sometimes cross the line into antisemitic violence. The transformation of political speech into physical attacks against Jewish individuals has prompted increased scrutiny of campus protest movements nationwide.
The Bazrouk case serves as a stark reminder of how heated political tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can manifest in American cities. Law enforcement officials continue to monitor campus demonstrations for signs of extremism while balancing First Amendment protections with the need to prevent violence against religious and ethnic minorities.
