Jew Attacked in Midwood After Refusing to Say ‘Free Palestine’

By Reuvain Borchardt

MIDWOOD — A Jewish teen was attacked in Midwood on Tuesday afternoon by an Arab who had demanded he say, “Free Palestine.”

The victim and his friend, both 18, were walking down Avenue M approximately 2:05 p.m., when they realized they were being followed by a group of Arab teens. One of the Arab teens walked up to the two Jews and demanded that they say ‘Free Palestine.’

“We ignored him,” the victim’s friend recounted. “We didn’t acknowledge him.”

The Arab then punched the victim in the face. The victim suffered a bloodied eye, and was transported by Flatbush Hatzolah to Maimonides Medical Center.

The group of Arabs fled toward Elm Avenue.

There have been a number of incidents in Brooklyn during the past year in which Jews were attacked by anti-Israel Muslims.

In May 2021, three Arab teens were charged with hate crimes after they allegedly attacked Jewish teens in Midwood who had refused their demands to say, “Free Palestine,” and menaced Jews in Boro Park while shouting “Free Palestine” and “Kill All the Jews.” In Bay Ridge in December, a Muslim man punched a Jewish college student who had been wearing an Israel Defense Forces sweatshirt.

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rborchardt@hamodia.com