Hate Crime Task Force Investigates After Man Punched In Face: NYPD

MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS, NY — The NYPD Hate Crime Task Force is investigating after a perpetrator stole a man's Israeli flag, made antisemitic remarks, and then punched him in the face in Morningside Heights, police said.

According to the NYPD, on Monday at 3:27 p.m., a 22-year-old man was walking on Claremont Avenue between West 119th Street and West 116th Street, when he got into a verbal dispute with the perpetrator.

The perpetrator then made antisemitic remarks and snatched the victim's Israeli flag, police said.

When the victim tried to retrieve the flag, the perpetrator punched the victim in the face and then ran away, heading uptown on Claremont Avenue, according to police. Police say that no injuries were reported from this incident.

Nearby, there was a large pro-Palestinian activist demonstration that day outside of Barnard's campus, with a dozen counter-protestors in support of Israel, according to the Columbia Spectator.

The NYPD's Hate Crime Task Force is investigating this incident and is looking for a suspect described as a man with a light complexion and facial hair, last seen wearing a black jacket, dark-colored jeans and black and white sneakers, police said.

This is a developing story and may be updated. For questions and tips, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.