Jewish Family Attacked During Brooklyn School Graduation Amid Shouts of ‘Death to Israel

Photo : AFP

A Jewish couple faced a violent attack at a Brooklyn school graduation, perpetrated by an Arabic-speaking family who escalated the incident with antisemitic slurs and threats. The incident occurred at PS 682 in Gravesend following the school’s fifth-grade graduation ceremony. According to the New York Post, the assailants shouted "Free Palestine!" and "Death to Israel!" during the altercation.

The mother, who chose to remain anonymous to protect her family's privacy, recounted how her husband was thrown to the ground, put in a chokehold, and physically assaulted, including being kicked, punched, and hit with a stiletto heel. Their 10-year-old twins were witnesses to the traumatic event.

“What was meant to be a joyous and memorable graduation event turned into a violent and traumatizing experience,” the mother stated.

The incident has sparked outrage and concern, particularly in the wake of heightened tensions stemming from the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel. Tova Plaut, an advocate for Jewish students and families, expressed concern over the escalating antisemitism in public schools, warning that such incidents were inevitable given the tolerance of antisemitic views.

Following the incident, the NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force launched an investigation. The family's last names were withheld to safeguard their children's privacy.

The altercation reportedly began when a student at the ceremony wore a "Free Palestine" cap and carried a flag, which had been permitted by the Department of Education as an expression of free speech. After the ceremony, when the Jewish couple was taking photos, relatives of the student allegedly attempted to push them aside. An altercation ensued when an older man confronted the couple with antisemitic remarks, leading to physical violence.

Johan, the husband, sustained injuries requiring hospitalization, while Lana, the wife, suffered a leg injury. Their teenage son also received injuries during the altercation. One suspect, Ez-Al Dean Bazar, 26, was arrested for assaulting Johan.

Lana expressed dismay over the initial reluctance of the NYPD to classify the incident as a hate crime, despite the clear antisemitic nature of the attack. She cited the assailant's remarks and the context of the assault as evidence of its hate-based motivation.

The incident underscores growing concerns over antisemitism in New York City and the need for heightened security measures and protections for Jewish communities.

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