Harrowing video shows Israeli man being attacked, assaulted by protester at Columbia University
An Arab Israeli man has taken to social media to share that he was attacked by an anti-Israel protester during a protest at Columbia University
An Arab Israeli man has taken to social media to share that he was attacked by an anti-Israel protester during a protest at Columbia University. The video shows the accuser, Yoseph Haddad, being physically assaulted and pushed to the ground by a masked protester.

“I was physically attacked by pro-terror protesters before my lecture at Columbia University. Instead of a lecture, I had to file a complaint with the police. They may have drawn blood but these cowards will never stop me,” Haddad wrote on Instagram, sharing the video.
The video was also shared by an acquaintance of Haddad, who wrote in the caption, “Today at Columbia University, violent terror supporters assaulted my partner, @YosephHaddad — who incidentally is not Jewish but an Arab Israeli. This is the face of the suspect.” The user thanked the NYPD for "acting swiftly and being on top of this case.”
In a separate post, Haddad said his attacker has been identified as Essa Ejelat, a 31-year-old man from New York. “During the demonstration he was bare-faced and just before he attacked me he made sure to cover his face immediately after he ran away... a coward and a disgrace! He thought we wouldn't reach him…,” Haddad wrote.
He added, “He is trying to disguise himself now and blocked his socials (which are full of inflammatory anti-Israel content) but I filed a police report and he will be arrested in the near future!”
Over 100 arrested at Columbia University
Meanwhile, at least 108 anti-Israel protestors at the university were hauled away and forced into NYPD corrections buses. Officers were seen wearing body armour and face shields, swarming the Morningside Heights campus shortly after 1 pm on Thursday, April 18.
The NYPD intervened after the college president, Minouche Shafik, decided to clear a massive anti-Israel protest encampment. Those who were arrested have been slapped with trespassing summonses, and two were also handed obstruction of governmental administration summonses.
ABOUT THE AUTHORSumanti SenSumanti Sen covers everything that’s happening in the US, from politics to entertainment, but her expertise lies in covering crime news. She has comprehensively chronicled the Idaho student murders, the Laken Riley and Iryna Zarutska cases, and the killing of Charlie Kirk, among other incidents. Over the years, she has interviewed several victims/families of victims of crimes seeking justice. She digs up stories that might otherwise remain unheard, and does her bit to ensure that victims and survivors’ voices are heard. Sumanti’s many years of experience also include interviews with Hamas attack survivors and mental health experts, among others. Her coverage of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and interviews with survivors of the tragedy, coupled with her other works including the Titan submersible coverage, earned her the Digi Journo of the Quarter award during her first year at Hindustan Times. Sumanti actively tracks missing person cases in the United States, and peruses Reddit and other social media platforms to bring to light cases that frequently elude public attention. She has extensively covered the disappearances of Nancy Guthrie, Thomas Medlin, Beau Mann, and Sudiksha Konanki, among others. When not at work, you will either find her with her novels, or with her beloved rescue pooches.Read More

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