Arab family attacks Jewish family at 5th grade graduation in Brooklyn, yells 'Free Palestine'

A Brooklyn elementary school graduation descended into violence when a Jewish family was attacked by members of an Arab family who shouted anti-Semitic slogans, including “Free Palestine,” “Gaza is Ours,” and “Death to Israel.” The incident took place at PS 682 in the Gravesend neighborhood during a fifth-grade graduation themed “All You Need Is Love.” The conflict occurred after the graduation ceremony, which included a student wearing a graduation cap that read "Free Palestine" and waving a Palestinian flag while walking across the stage.

The altercation started when Lana, a Jewish mother, and her Dominican Catholic husband, Johan, began taking photos of their children. They were pushed aside by family members of the student with the flag. Lana suggested there was space for both families, prompting an older man to turn and say “Free Palestine.” When Johan responded that it wasn’t the time for such a discussion, the man escalated, shouting, “Free Palestine, Gaza is Ours, Death to Israel," per the New York Post

The situation quickly turned physical when Johan was punched by another man who “just came out of nowhere.” He was put in a chokehold, thrown to the ground, and beaten by members of the Arab family. Lana was pulled by the hair and knocked to the ground by a person shouting “I will kill you.” She screamed for police but no security was at the event. Two male teachers rushed over to help break up the attack. 

The couple’s 16-year-old son also tried to help but was punched in the face. Johan sustained scrapes, bruises, and swelling to his head, face, and body and was treated at a medical center. Lana suffered a leg gash, and their son ended up with a bloody nose. “They targeted my family because we are Jewish,” the mother said. “A graduation event that was supposed to be joyous and memorable turned into a violent and traumatizing one.”

Ez-Al Dean Bazar, 26, was the only individual arrested for the assault. However, the criminal complaint filed by the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office did not mention his motive. Lana and Johan told the New York Post that they were frustrated because the New York Police Department (NYPD) did not classify the incident as a hate crime. After urging the NYPD to reconsider that decision, a spokesperson clarified that “The Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the incident.”