NY Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Assaulting Jews

A man from Staten Island, NY was sentenced to 18 months in prison on March 3 for assaulting three Jews.

The Department of Justice announced in a press release that the man, Saadah Masoud, admitted to assaulting the three victims based on their “Jewish or Israeli identity or perceived identity.” The first victim was wearing a Star of David in May 2021, the second was wearing a kippah while sitting outside of his home in June 2021, and the third was wearing an Israeli flag in April 2022. The April 2022 victim has been identified as Matt Greenman, who was counterprotesting a pro-Palestinian rally at the time. Prosecutors said that Masoud ran down Greenman and punched him in the face multiple times as he lay on the ground, per The New York Times.

The June 2021 victim has been identified as Heshy Tischler, who was running for New York City Council at the time. Tischler had tried to record Masoud threatening to “get” him because he knew where he lived, prompting Masoud to knock the phone out of his hand. One of Masoud’s colleagues then punched Masoud, according to prosecutors cited by The New York Times. Tischler himself had pled guilty in May 2021 whipping up a riot that resulted in Jewish journalist Jacob Kornbluh being assaulted.

After serving his prison sentence, Masoud will be subjected to three years of supervised release.

“Saadah Masoud repeatedly attacked New Yorkers based on their religion and national origin,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement. “The prosecution of this case and the sentence imposed today make clear that hate-fueled violence will not be tolerated in our community and that this Office will be unrelenting in our efforts to hold accountable those who perpetrate senseless crimes of hate.”

The New York Times reported that during the trial, Masoud had apologized to each of his victims and acknowledged needing to work on his “anger issues.” Masoud’s attorneys argued that he wasn’t motivated by anti-Jewish animus but due to his victims’ support for Israel as a result of “constant confrontation with counterprotesters at demonstrations”; therefore, his lawyers contended that Masoud should only get a six-month prison sentence. But according to the Times, prosecutors showed chat messages from Masoud in which he said they could “smack a Zionist” and an Instagram direct message stating “some jew politician said I assaulted him.” The Times of Israel also reported that Masoud asked the May 2021 if he was “a f—ing Jew” and had “discussed bringing firebombs to a pro-Israel rally.” Masoud ultimately pleaded guilty to one of the hate crime charges.

Stop Antisemitism Executive Director Liora Rez said in a statement, “With antisemitism skyrocketing, Judge Cote had an opportunity to impose the maximum sentence of five years against repeat offender Saadah Masoud who violently assaulted Matt Greenman, an innocent Jewish man on crutches at the time, along with two other Jews in New York City on multiple other occasions. While 18 months isn’t optimal, Stop Antisemitism recognizes that Masoud’s incarceration will make the streets of New York City safer for the Jewish people, and is a much-needed demonstration that the justice system takes antisemitic incidents like these seriously. We hope that this sets a precedent for other would-be assailants — you will be held accountable for your antisemitic bigotry and violence.”

The American Jewish Committee tweeted, “In addition to attacks he carried out on Jews in NYC, Saadah Masoud plotted to use weapons and firebombs. Targeting Jews for supporting Israel is a blatantly antisemitic act. We thank law enforcement for keeping this dangerous individual off the streets.”

In addition to attacks he carried out on Jews in NYC, Saadah Masoud plotted to use weapons and firebombs.

Targeting Jews for supporting Israel is a blatantly antisemitic act.

We thank law enforcement for keeping this dangerous individual off the streets. https://t.co/KTiFQzTh8q

— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) March 3, 2023