Three arrested over attack on Israeli Americans – no hate crime charges filed
Suspects charged over San Jose assault on Israeli Americans, but prosecutors say hate crime element remains under investigation
Three men have been arrested and charged over the assault of two Israeli American men in California, but prosecutors have not filed hate crime charges at this stage.
The suspects – named as Bruneil Henry Chamaki, 32, Roma Akoyans, 20, and Ramon Akoyans, 18 – surrendered to police on Monday, just over a week after the daylight attack in San Jose’s Santana Row.
Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office confirmed the men face a mix of felony and misdemeanour charges in connection with the assault, which left both victims hospitalised.
However, prosecutors said the charges currently brought “do not reflect allegations of a hate crime at this time. However, this remains an active investigation.”
US reports indicate Chamaki previously worked as an attorney in Sacramento and founded Assyrian Advisors, a community organisation. A LinkedIn profile for Roma Akoyans lists him as an intern with the same organisation.
The attack, which took place on 8 March outside Augustine restaurant, was captured on video and widely shared online. Footage shows two men being punched and knocked to the ground in front of diners and passers-by.
The victims, identified in US reports as Lior Zeevi, 47, and Daniel Levy, 48, said they were targeted after being overheard speaking Hebrew.
One of the victims told local media the assault began without warning, while witnesses reported hearing antisemitic abuse during the attack, including “fing Jew” and “Don’t f with Iran.”
Police had initially said they were treating the incident as a possible hate crime, and a police report indicated the victims may have been targeted because of their ethnicity or nationality.
In a statement following the arrests, Santa Clara District Attorney Jeff Rosen said: “We won’t tolerate pummelling a victim on the ground in front of a restaurant or anywhere, and we will hold the perpetrators fully accountable.”
San Jose Police said the investigation is ongoing and confirmed they are continuing to work with prosecutors as the case develops.
The decision not to bring hate crime charges at this stage is likely to raise concern within the Jewish community, particularly given reports of antisemitic language used during the assault.
Jewish community leaders in the Bay Area had already warned that the attack reflects wider fears about rising antisemitism in the United States.
Authorities have not ruled out additional or revised charges as the investigation continues.
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