Florida Man Indicted for Role in 2021 Anti-Semitic Attack in Times Square

Florida Man Indicted for Role in 2021 Anti-Semitic Attack in Times Square

Edited by: Fern Sidman

A Florida man has become the sixth individual to be indicted in connection with a brutal, caught-on-camera beating of a Jewish man in Times Square during 2021. According to a report that appeared on Thursday in The New York Post, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office announced that Salem Seleiman, 28, was arrested on a warrant on May 10, nearly three years after the violent incident occurred.

On May 20, 2021, Joseph Borgen, a 29-year-old Jewish man wearing a yarmulke, attended a pro-Israel rally in Midtown Manhattan. During this event, clashes erupted between supporters of Israel and Palestine. Borgen was targeted by a mob that included Seleiman, who, along with others, hurled antisemitic slurs such as “dirty Jew,” “filthy Jew,” and “f–k Israel” at him, as was reported by The Post. The mob’s actions quickly escalated into a violent assault, during which Borgen was thrown to the ground, punched, hit with a crutch, and pepper-sprayed. The attack was captured on video and widely circulated on social media, sparking outrage and condemnation.

Video: After Mohammed Said Othman was sentenced to three years in prison for a 2021 antisemitic attack in Times Square, the victim Joseph Borgen and his father speak – father says moving to Florida, son says, Israel, & that his Congressman blocked his phone number pic.twitter.com/3feO7UHpa5

— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) January 31, 2024

As Borgen lay on the ground, good Samaritans attempted to intervene. However, The Post report indicated that Seleiman deceitfully pretended to offer assistance, only to deliver a kick to Borgen’s face. This act of betrayal highlighted the brutal nature of the attack, which was fueled by religious hatred.

Seleiman was extradited from Tampa, Florida, and arraigned in Manhattan Supreme Court on Thursday, where he pleaded not guilty to hate crime assault and attempted gang assault charges, the report in The Post added. Judge Felicia Mennin set his bail at $50,000.

According to the information provided in The Post report, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg condemned Seleiman’s actions, stating, “Seleiman’s alleged conduct was abhorrent and many of the other individuals who joined him have already been convicted and are serving state prison sentences. Violently assaulting someone because of their religion is unacceptable, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners, community groups, and local leaders to address attacks on the Jewish community.”

Salem Seleiman, suspected ringleader of the brutal gang assault in NYC of Joseph Borgen on May 20, 2021 who has been on the run, was arrested in FL & will be arraigned in NYC today. READ MORE about Seleiman’s violent history https://t.co/DkHnCnZMhu pic.twitter.com/yMvyHcnNfb

— Canary Mission (@canarymission) June 27, 2024

The vicious attack on Joseph Borgen is part of a disturbing trend of rising anti-Semitism and hate crimes. The violence in Times Square drew significant attention due to its brazen nature and the fact that it was captured on video. Noted in The Post report was that the community’s response has been one of solidarity with the victim and a call for justice against those who perpetrated the crime.

Five other attackers have already been convicted and sentenced for their roles in the assault. Notably, Mahmoud Musa, 23, received a seven-year prison sentence in November, as was affirmed in The Post report. These convictions shine a spotlight on the serious nature of the crime and the judicial system’s commitment to holding the perpetrators accountable.

Joseph Borgen, the victim of the attack, continues to suffer from the physical and psychological aftermath of the assault. The Post report pointed out that he has been vocal about his ongoing struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and persistent wrist pain.

Despite the convictions, Borgen has criticized the Manhattan District Attorney’s office for its handling of his case. Speaking to The Post, he expressed mixed feelings about the justice served. “It’s good to see that at least in my case there was accountability and justice, but hopefully that can be the norm moving forward as it relates to anti-Semitic and hate crimes of all types,” Borgen said. He emphasized the need for consistent accountability in all hate crime cases, referencing concerns over other incidents, such as the controversial handling of the Columbia University case.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has faced backlash for his recent decision to drop charges against anti-Israel protesters at Columbia University. As was reported by The Post, this decision sparked protests outside his office, with critics arguing that it set a dangerous precedent for handling hate crimes. The criticism highlights a broader concern about the consistency and seriousness with which hate crimes are prosecuted in New York City.

Seleiman’s attorney, Toni Marie Messina, has not responded to requests for comment from The Post, leaving many questions about the defense’s approach to the case. Meanwhile, community leaders and organizations continue to call for stringent measures against hate crimes to ensure justice and deterrence.