“If I could do it again, I would”: Waseem Awawdeh’s sentence for assaulting a Jewish man extended to eighteen months

An assailant who assaulted a Jewish man in New York City in May 2021 has had his sentence extended following public outrage.

Waseem Awawdeh attacked Joseph Borden in Manhattan in May 2021, during the war between Hamas and Israel. He pleaded guilty to the charges of attempted assault and criminal weapon possession. According to a prosecutor, Mr Awawdeh showed no remorse and stated: “If I could do it again, I would.”

Following the public outrage after his initial six-month prison sentence was announced, his term has now been extended to eighteen months.

Police reported that Mr Awawdeh’s attack hospitalised Borden, who at the time was travelling to a pro-Israel rally. Mr Borden recounted, “They hit me with fists, kicked me, and hit me with crutches,” whilst calling him a “dirty Jew.” 

According to the FBI, over 60 percent of hate crimes against a religious minority are motivated by antisemitism.

Campaign Against Antisemitism reports on news and incidents relating to antisemitism throughout the United States.

Image credit: Canary Mission