NEW YORK โ Salem Seleiman has been sentenced to two years in state prison for his role in the 2021 antisemitic assault on Joey Borgen, a Jewish man who was beaten while on his way to a pro-Israel rally in Times Square. Prosecutors said Seleiman pleaded guilty to a hate crime charge connected to the attack, which drew national attention as part of a broader spike in antisemitic violence linked to tensions over Israel.
Background On The 2021 Attack
Borgen, then in his twenties, was wearing a kippah and walking toward a pro-Israel demonstration in Midtown Manhattan when he was surrounded and assaulted by a group of men. He was punched, kicked, pepper-sprayed, and struck with objects while assailants shouted antisemitic slurs and references to Israel. The attack left him hospitalized with injuries, including a concussion and facial bruising.
Video of the incident circulated widely online, becoming one of the most prominent examples of street-level antisemitic violence during a period when Jewish advocacy groups were documenting a sharp rise in attacks and harassment. Borgen later described the beating as โterrifyingโ and said he believed he was targeted solely for being an openly identifiable Jew heading to support Israel.
Charges And Guilty Plea
New York authorities initially charged multiple suspects in connection with the incident. Seleiman ultimately pleaded guilty to a hate-crime-related offense tied to the assault, acknowledging his role in the attack. The plea agreement led to a recommendation of a two-year custodial sentence, followed by a period of post-release supervision.
At sentencing, the court formally recognized the antisemitic character of the crime. Prosecutors emphasized that Borgen was singled out because of his Jewish identity and visible support for Israel. They argued that such acts โstrike fear not only in the individual victim but in the entire Jewish community.โ
Reaction From The Jewish Community
Jewish organizations and pro-Israel advocates have closely followed the case as a test of how seriously New Yorkโs justice system treats violent antisemitic hate crimes. Many welcomed the fact that prosecutors pursued hate-crime charges and secured a conviction acknowledging antisemitic intent.
At the same time, some community voices have argued that a two-year sentence is modest given the severity of the attack and the broader context of rising antisemitism. For them, the case underscores the need for consistent, firm consequences when Jews are targeted because of their identity or connection to Israel.
Broader Context Of Antisemitic Incidents
The 2021 assault on Borgen took place amid a surge in antisemitic incidents across North America linked to conflicts involving Israel, including rocket attacks from Gaza and responses by the Israel Defense Forces. Jewish organizations have reported that public rallies, visibly Jewish pedestrians, and pro-Israel events have become frequent flashpoints for harassment and violence.
Advocacy groups continue to call for stronger security around Jewish institutions, clearer condemnation of antisemitism from political leaders, and robust enforcement of hate-crime statutes. Cases like Seleimanโs are seen as both a warning to would-be attackers and a measure of whether authorities are prepared to protect Jewish communities when anti-Israel rhetoric spills over into physical violence.
Looking Ahead
For Joey Borgen, the sentence closes a long and highly public ordeal, though the emotional and psychological impact of the attack may endure. For Jewish New Yorkers and pro-Israel supporters, the case is a reminder that visible Jewish identity and support for Israel can still attract violent hostility even in cities with large Jewish populations and strong civil-rights protections.
