Hate Crime Indictment For Anti-Semitic Incident In Nassau: Nassau DA

HEWLETT, NY — A 26-year-old man has been indicted with multiple hate crime charges stemming from an anti-Semitic attack in Hewlett last month, prosecutors said.

Bechir Lehbeib, of Queens, was arraigned Wednesday on charges that include second-degree robbery as a hate crime, second-degree assault as a hate crime, petit larceny as a hate crime and fourth-degree criminal mischief as a hate crime.

"Hate crimes have no place in Nassau County," said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. "As alleged in this indictment, a Hewlett homeowner was beaten and robbed in an unprovoked antisemitic attack – simply because he flew two flags from his home that showed his family’s support of Israel."

According to the indictment and charges, at approximately 1:08 p.m. on February 4, 2024, Lehbeib allegedly walked up to a home on Steven Drive in Hewlett and grabbed the two flags from the property — one read "In this home, we stand with Israel,” and a second flag showed a blend of the Israeli and American flags.

The homeowner saw Lehbeib walk away from the property with his flags via a Ring camera app and went outside to confront him, Donnelly said.

At that time, Lehbeib allegedly punched the homeowner in the face and brought the victim to the floor, where the altercation continued. Lehbeib allegedly headbutted the homeowner and trampled the flags that he pulled off the porch, the D.A.'s office said.

Lehbeib pleaded not guilty and bail was set at $125,000 cash, $250,000 bond and $1,000,000 partially secured bond. He is due back in court on April 1. If convicted of the top charge, the defendant faces up to 25 years in prison.