Teen Charged With Hate Crimes In Attack Of Israeli Columbia Student

MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS, NY — A 19-year-old accused of assaulting an Israeli student at Columbia University with a stick has been charged with two hate crimes in connection with the attack, according to online court records.

Maxwell Friedman of Brooklyn was charged with second and third-degree assault, both as hate crimes, after authorities said she assaulted a 24-year-old male student Wednesday during a dispute in front of Butler Library.

The assault was first reported by the Columbia Spectator.

Prosecutors also charged Friedman with criminal possession of a weapon and aggravated harassment, according to court records. Following a Thursday court date, Friedman's next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 28.

According to police, the assault happened around 5:30 p.m. when Friedman approached the student and others who were putting up posters with names and photos of Israeli hostages reportedly taken by Hamas, the Columbia Spectator reported.

Friedman reportedly asked to join the group and stayed with them through the day, the outlet said.

At one point, Friedman allegedly donned a bandana covering her face and began ripping the flyers off the wall, the Columbia Spectator said. During the dispute, police said Friedman used a stick to strike the victim on his hand.

The students reported the incident to Columbia Public Safety, who contacted the NYPD.

The attack followed at least three violent incidents overnight in New York City, all of which were apparently inspired by the bloody conflict between Israel and Hamas. Read more: Israel-Hamas War Inspires Violent NYC Street Attacks: Cops, Reports

All three incidents — which included an 18-year-old Palestinian man who was beaten by a group of attackers who waved Israeli flags from a car — unfolded over the span of hours Wednesday night in Brooklyn.

They also came after NYPD officials ordered all officers to appear in uniform in anticipation of upcoming mass protests Friday in support of Palestinians, the New York Post reported.

-With reporting by Nicole Rosenthal and Matt Troutman.