NEW YORK — A Columbia University protester who called himself a “Jew hater” and expressed admiration for Hamas has pleaded guilty to three federal hate crimes after violently assaulting Jewish individuals during anti-Israel protests in Manhattan. In court, he offered no apology to his Jewish victims—only to the Palestinian community.

Tarek Bazrouk, 20, admitted to attacking three different Jewish individuals between April 2024 and January 2025, including a brutal assault on Jonathan Lederer, a Jewish Columbia student.

The attacks took place near the New York Stock Exchange, on the Upper West Side, and outside Columbia’s campus, where Bazrouk punched Lederer in the face after ripping an Israeli flag from his brother’s hands.

During the assault, witnesses say Bazrouk screamed about Hitler and the Nazis. Lederer, whose ancestors were murdered in the Holocaust, recalled being surrounded by protestors who accused him of being a “baby killer” because he supported Israel.

“I said, ‘No, I don’t. I actually want a two-state solution. I think there is too much death on both sides. I want peace,’” Lederer said.

Barzouk reportedly responded, “Jews have no history in the land. You stole our land.”

Court documents revealed Bazrouk’s deep-rooted antisemitism. In private text messages, he described himself as a “Jew hater,” called Jews “worthless,” and pressured a friend to “slap that bitch” after seeing a woman with an Israeli flag sticker on her laptop. He also claimed pride in having relatives fighting with Hamas overseas.

Federal authorities say Bazrouk was a member of a chat group that received regular updates from Abu Obeda, a spokesperson affiliated with Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigades. Investigators found photos of Bazrouk firing AR-15 rifles at gun ranges across New York and New Jersey.

The FBI seized knives, brass knuckles, a replica firearm, and over $750,000 in cash from his residence. In one message, Bazrouk said he would “boom boom boom” the next Jewish person he encountered.

Despite the evidence, Bazrouk’s attorneys deny any formal ties between their client and terrorist organizations.

In court, Bazrouk made no apology to his victims. Instead, he said:

“I am sorry. I am Palestinian and I participated in the protest to display my outrage… I hope my family and community can forgive me.”

Bazrouk faces up to five years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and restitution. His sentencing is set for October 1, 2025. He also faces two pending state cases for separate assaults committed in December and January.

This case highlights the dangerous overlap between radical campus activism and violent extremism—and how hate speech, left unchecked, can turn into hate-fueled violence.