A man accused of expressing violent antisemitic views during protests at Columbia University allegedly had a direct connection to Hamas’ military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, according to federal allegations reviewed by The New York Post. Tarek Bazrouk, 20, is currently awaiting trial after being indicted on three federal hate crime charges targeting Jewish individuals. Prosecutors say Bazrouk was “a member of a chat group that received regular updates from Abu Obeida,” the spokesperson for the al-Qassam Brigades, as outlined in federal court filings.
The Post remarks that this is the first documented instance of an alleged protester in the U.S. receiving direct communications from Hamas during campus demonstrations. Federal authorities allege that Bazrouk—who has no known ties to Columbia University—frequently donned a green headband associated with Hamas and bragged about relatives abroad being involved with the organization. During the April 2024 protests on Columbia’s campus, Bazrouk reportedly messaged a friend that he had lit a flare and contemplated setting someone on fire. However, he noted, “too many” people were around, and otherwise he “would’ve hurted [sic] them.”
A U.S. citizen born and raised in New York, Bazrouk was arrested near Columbia’s campus in December 2024 in connection with one of the three antisemitic attacks he’s now charged with.
Columbia University has since clarified that it has no record of Bazrouk being affiliated with the institution. “This individual is not affiliated with our University in any way,” a university spokesperson said, adding that Columbia “strongly condemns antisemitism.”
The university dealt with escalating tensions throughout 2024, including masked anti-Israel demonstrators and the eventual NYPD intervention to disperse protestors. NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban remarked at the time that “professional outside agitators” played a key role in driving the unrest, which included the illegal occupation of a campus building.
Federal filings also indicate that Bazrouk’s cellphone contained extensive pro-Hamas and pro-Hezbollah propaganda. According to prosecutors, the device included an image of Yahya Sinwar, a deceased Hamas commander held responsible for orchestrating the October 7, 2023, massacre in Israel. Additional images included a meme supporting the al-Qassam Brigades and photos of Abu Obeida and others waving Hamas flags.
One meme reportedly read: “By God I would not trade the Al Qassam Brigades for the world and everything in it. May God be pleased with them and allow them to break the wicked enemy through him.”
Prosecutors also cited text messages in which Bazrouk allegedly described himself as a “Jew hater,” referred to Jews as “worthless,” and urged “Allah” to “get us rid of [Jews].” In one message, he allegedly told a friend to “slap that bitch” in reference to a woman with an Israeli sticker on her laptop. Another message reportedly showed him expressing joy upon learning some of his relatives were part of Hamas.
Bazrouk is said to have spent nearly three weeks in the West Bank and Jordan in late 2024, raising further questions about his activities abroad.
The string of alleged assaults attributed to Bazrouk began on April 15, 2024, when he is accused of attacking three Jewish individuals during a protest outside the New York Stock Exchange. As police were arresting him, he allegedly kicked a Jewish college student.
According to court filings, Bazrouk wrote in a text message four days later that if he “ever see(s)” a Jewish person, he’s going to “boom boom them.”
On December 9, Bazrouk allegedly punched a Jewish Columbia student in the face and went on a tirade invoking Hitler and the Nazis after snatching a flag near the campus. The student, Jonathan Lederer, told The Post that Bazrouk struck him when he tried to retrieve a flag taken from his brother.
Just weeks later, on January 6, Bazrouk allegedly targeted another individual wearing an Israeli flag during a protest near Union Square. Prosecutors say he struck the man in the face while wearing a keffiyeh mask.
Despite multiple arrests, Bazrouk “remained undeterred and quickly returned to using violence to target Jews in New York City,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton of the Southern District of New York.
Bazrouk has been held in custody since May 7, after being charged with three federal hate crimes. If convicted, each count could carry up to 10 years in prison.
