NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Police have released new photos of the suspects wanted in connection to the hate crime attack on a Jewish man that happened amid a clash between pro-Israel and pro-Palestine protesters in Times Square last week.
According to authorities, then men descended upon a 29-year-old Jewish man, who was heading to a pro-Israel protest and wearing a yarmulke, in front of 1604 Broadway.
Video posted to social media showed several men kicking and beating the Jewish man. At least one man was seen using a crutch to beat the victim.
Authorities have already arrested two men in connection to the attack and charged them with assault as a hate crime, menacing as a hate crime and aggravated harassment as a hate crime.
They are 23-year-old Waseem Awawdeh and 25-year-old Faisal Elezzi.
The NYPD says the investigation remains ongoing and they are searching for additional suspects in connection to the attack.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has also instructed the State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to assist in the investigation, saying he was shocked by news of the assault.
“I unequivocally condemn these brutal attacks on visibly Jewish New Yorkers and we will not tolerate anti-Semitic violent gang harassment and intimidation. New York is the vibrant and dynamic home for people from around the world,” Cuomo said. “This tapestry makes New York the extraordinary place that it is. Those of all faiths, backgrounds and ethnicities must be able to walk the streets safely and free from harassment and violence.”
Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM, or on Twitter @NYPDTips.