Tarek Bazrouk

Tarek Bazrouk is a Palestinian-American activist. In 2025, he was convicted of federal hate crimes for assaulting Jewish demonstrators at multiple pro-Palestine protests in New York City in 2024 and 2025 during the Gaza war. Prosecutors stated that the attacks targeted individuals because of their Jewish or Israeli identity. Bazrouk pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 17 months in federal prison. His case attracted national attention and support from pro-Palestine activist groups.

Background Tarek Bazrouk is a Palestinian-American student at the City University of New York.

In April 2024, Bazrouk, wearing a Hamas headband, scuffled with pro-Israel demonstrators outside the New York Stock Exchange. During his arrest and while being escorted to a police vehicle, he kicked a pro-Israel demonstrator in the stomach. The December attack was condemned by New York Governor Kathy Hochul. According to Reuters, Bazrouk's case was the first time the U.S. Department of Justice brought federal hate-crime charges related to the Columbia University protests.

In June he pleaded guilty to targeting victims for their Jewish or Israeli identity. As part of his plea agreement, he forfeited $750,000 in cash to authorities; the source of the funds was not disclosed. Seth Mandel argued that pro-Palestinian groups' advocacy for Bazrouk indicated that the movement had the main organizing goal of attacking Jews' freedom of speech, expression, and association.

Before his sentencing, Bazrouk served six months at the Metropolitan Detention Center.

Civil litigation In November 2025, the twin brothers who were assaulted by Bazrouk during a protest near Columbia University in December 2024 sued Columbia, alleging that the university failed to protect Jewish students after the October 7 attacks.