Tarek Bazluk, a 20-year-old who has self-identified as Jewish and connected to Hamas, has pleaded guilty to committing several hate crimes against Jews but only sought forgiveness from the Palestinian community.
During a federal court appearance in Manhattan, Bazluk—who was involved in violent protests regarding the Gaza conflict from April 2024 to January 2025—expressed regret to Palestinians rather than to his victims. “I’m sorry. I’m Palestinian and I showed my anger at the protests… I shouldn’t have resorted to violence. I hope my family and community can forgive me,” he stated.
This apology appears somewhat insincere, especially given his earlier enthusiastic participation in attacks on Jews at protests at Columbia University and in downtown Manhattan.
On April 15, 2024, he allegedly set up an Israeli flag at a demonstration outside the New York Stock Exchange, where he violently kicked a man wearing a kippa. Prosecutors noted that he attacked two additional people during the same protest.
Shortly afterward, Bazluk sent a text declaring he would harm the next Jew he encountered. Then, on December 9, 2024, he punched another man, also wearing a kippa, while that individual raised an Israeli flag amid the protest, as reported by prosecutors.
Testimony revealed that Bazluk raised another Israeli flag on January 6 of this year during yet another demonstration.
After his arrest in May, federal agents uncovered more disturbing evidence in his Manhattan apartment, where they discovered four knives, a replica firearm, brass knuckles, and a safe containing $750,000 in cash, along with his cell phone.
His connections have been scrutinized as he is identified as part of a chat group associated with Abu Obeda, linked to Hamas’s Al-Kassam Brigade.
Messages showed him referring to himself as “worthless” and advising a friend to “slap the bitch” regarding a woman with an Israeli flag sticker on her laptop. Other messages indicated that some of his family members were eager to join the fight against Hamas overseas.
Bazluk’s lawyers denied any ties between him and the terrorist organization.
In addition to the cash that was seized, Bazluk consented to its forfeiture.
Judge Richard Berman informed him that he could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison, two years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
Furthermore, Berman stated that Bazluk might also need to compensate his victims.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 1st, and he still has two ongoing cases in state court concerning incidents from December and January.
