A man who pleaded guilty to attacking an Israeli tourist in Times Square smiled and flashed a peace symbol to photographers at his sentencing Tuesday.
When Judge Althea Drysdale asked Yehia Amin why he was smiling, the defendant replied through an interpreter that he wanted to look good for the cameras.
Amin was sentenced to 90 days in jail and five years’ probation after pleading guilty to assault as a hate crime for the antisemitic attack on Oct. 18, 2023.
The victim, a Jewish tourist from Israel, was visiting Times Square with a group of friends when they passed Amin at Seventh Ave. and 42nd St. and the man began following them around 9:30 p.m., according to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
“Yehia Amin taunted and punched a tourist after stalking his friends and going on a vile antisemitic tirade that spanned several minutes,” said Bragg. “Violence stemming from hate and discrimination will not be tolerated in Manhattan.”
As he stalked the group, all of whom were wearing yarmulkes, Amin made antisemitic remarks that included, “Hamas should kill more of you,” “May Allah kill you. May Allah kill all the Jews” and “All Jews should die,” according to prosecutors.
The victim and his friends tried to report Amin to a security guard at W. 47th St., but the defendant continued to harass them, shouting, “All Jews are crybabies,” “I want to die for Gaza” and “I want to kill you,” prosecutors said.
Amin then pursued the group as they tried to flee into a nearby train station before running up to the victim and punching him in the back of his head, according to prosecutors.
The defendant attempted to flee the scene, but the victim and his friends gave chase, eventually flagging down a police officer who caught Amin and placed him under arrest, prosecutors said.
