NYPD arrests two of nine suspects in attack against Palestinian, Egyptian men
Oct. 21, 2023, 8:43 a.m.
The two men were charged with a series of hate crimes.
Two of the nine men accused of attacking a trio of Palestinian and Egyptian men in Brooklyn were arrested Friday on hate crime charges.
Police officials said Gabi Zaibak, 28, and Eddie Zaibak, 26, were in the group of nine who allegedly approached three Palestinian and Egyptian men near 86th Street and 4th Avenue in Bay Ridge on Oct. 11, waving the Israeli flag days after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack.
The group is accused of making anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian remarks at the men, before proceeding to kick and punch an 18-year-old, police said. The other men were not physically injured.
Police have been on heightened alert for hate crimes against Muslims and Jews in the wake of the attack on Israel. So far there have been scattered incidents, but officials say there has not yet been a noticeable uptick.
A police spokesperson said the Zaibak men shared an address but did not know how they were related. Each was charged with assault, aggravated harassment and menacing, all as hate crimes which carry heavier sentences if they are convicted. Attorney information for the two suspects was not immediately available.
Police said they do not have the seven others in custody at this time and the investigation remains ongoing.
This story has been updated with more information about the suspects.
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