Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NYPD arrests two of nine suspects in attack against Palestinian, Egyptian men
By
Michelle Bocanegra
Published Oct 21, 2023
Modified Oct 21, 2023
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Getty Images
By
Michelle Bocanegra
Published Oct 21, 2023
Modified Oct 21, 2023
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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.
Tagged
Israel-Hamas
public safety
brooklyn
hate crime
nypd
Michelle Bocanegra
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Dump truck driver hits and kills cyclist on 34th Street in Midtown, NYPD says
It's the latest in a string of hit-and-run deaths in the city in recent months.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Sep 28, 2026 at 4:15 p.m. ET
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.
By
Arya Sundaram
News
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.
By
Arya Sundaram
A Brooklyn jail cell filled with smoke. The emergency button failed, a lawyer said.
By
Samantha Max
Crews launch tunnel machines to dig first new Hudson River rail tunnels since 1910
By
Michael Sol Warren
NYC nor’easter dries up after weather service reports minor flooding
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .