Police in Washington DC are investigating an assault on a Jewish man as an antisemitic hate crime.

Ariel Golfeyz, 31, who is Jewish, was attacked on his way to work on Wednesday morning. Golfeyz said the attacker, Walter James, 38, knocked him to the ground and punched him repeatedly.

James has now been charged with assault motivated by hate or bias, according to court documents.

Ariel Golfeyz was attacked in the US capital on Wednesday

Golfeyz was wearing a kippah when James attacked him, something he now says he will no longer do. “After this, I don’t think it’s safe to wear a kippah, or anything like that in public in Washington DC, because of what’s going on,” he told local news.

James, who is now in custody, called Golfeyz a “murderer,” referring the war in Gaza. When arrested, the attacker shouted: “The children in Gaza. The children in Palestine. We know! We know who you are!” according to a video taken by Golfeyz.

The man shouted at Golfeyz: “You corrupt the banks and you corrupt the world”. He also accused Jews of “tainting the minds of our children” and controlling the music industry. “You hold the world ransom, because you control all the money and all the resources,” he said.

Meredith Weisel, Regional Director of The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in Washington condemned the attack. In a statement posted to social media, she said the ADL “are deeply concerned about what appears to be a hateful antisemitic assault on a Jewish man”. Weisel continued: “This latest incident confirmed not only our data but reflects the escalation of anti-Jewish sentiments in our community and our country”.
Antisemitism across the US has increased since the October 7 attacks. According to the Anti Defamation League, antisemitic incidents increased by 140% last year.