BOSTON — Boston police are investigating an alleged antisemitic assault after two cousins were beaten late one night near Fenway Park and say attackers shouted “Dirty Jew” and told them to “go back to Israel.”
The incident occurred just before midnight in the area of 514 Commonwealth Avenue, according to a police report obtained by local media. Four male suspects reportedly approached the two victims, shouted antisemitic slurs and then punched and kicked both men, leaving them bloodied and bruised.
One of the victims retrieved a black wallet dropped by a suspect during the altercation and turned it over to investigators. The wallet reportedly contained a New Hampshire driver’s license and bank cards, details that police say have aided early stages of the probe.
Video and social posts about the incident circulated on local feeds, prompting renewed concern about anti-Jewish harassment in the Boston area. NewsCenter 5 reported that both victims declined emergency medical services at the scene but sustained visible injuries.
The victims told police they were not Jewish and said the attack was unprovoked. Authorities described the episode as under active investigation and asked anyone with information or video of the incident to come forward. Investigators followed leads that included the wallet and witness reports.
Local reporters said the assailants fled toward Kenmore Square and boarded the MBTA, where they lost sight of them. Surveillance footage from nearby transit entrances and businesses may assist detectives. Police have released limited details while inquiries continue.
The episode follows a string of recent assaults and reported hate incidents around Boston and other U.S. cities, prompting concern among Jewish community leaders and civil rights groups. National outlets have documented an uptick in antisemitic incidents since the 2023 attacks in Israel, and local leaders say heightened tensions have produced volatile scenes at sporting events and in public spaces.
Advocates say any attack accompanied by explicit slurs should be treated seriously as a potential bias-motivated crime. Under Massachusetts law and federal guidance, prosecutors can pursue hate crime enhancements when evidence shows that victims were targeted because of religion or ethnicity. Officials said such determinations typically require investigators to establish the motivation beyond a reasonable doubt.
City and campus police agencies around Fenway have in recent months boosted patrols during major events and review protocols for responding to bias incidents. Community organizations urged rapid, transparent communication from law enforcement to reassure residents and to encourage witnesses to share video or other evidence.
Boston police asked anyone with information or relevant footage to contact detectives assigned to the case. Authorities have not announced arrests in connection with the incident as of the latest reports.
For Jewish and pro-Israel communities, the attack is a reminder of the persistent need for vigilance and for law enforcement to apply bias-motivated crime resources promptly. Community groups said they will continue to press for full investigative transparency and for prosecutions that reflect the seriousness of crimes rooted in hatred.
This article is based on verified information from WCVB NewsCenter 5, Boston25 News, The Jerusalem Post, UWire/Daily Free Press, and contemporaneous local reporting and police statements.