President Trump’s Justice Department announced Monday that a California man has been arrested on a federal hate crime charge for allegedly assaulting a Jewish man near a Los Angeles synagogue.
Zaid Gitesatani, 28, of Carlsbad, California, was indicted by a federal grand jury and arrested by the FBI.
The charge stems from an alleged assault that occurred in June 2024 outside the Adas Torah Synagogue in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon announced the arrest on X.
This morning in CA, our FBI colleagues arrested Zaid Gitesatani, who was indicted by a grand jury for his alleged assault on a Jewish man outside the Adas Torah Synagogue in Los Angeles, CA in 2024.
Antisemitic violence is un-American and illegal! @CivilRights @USAttyEssayli… pic.twitter.com/E5OlrIkfGA
— AAGHarmeetDhillon (@AAGDhillon) May 18, 2026
The Justice Department released details of the indictment:
A San Diego County man was arrested today on a federal grand jury indictment charging him with assaulting a Jewish man near a synagogue in the Pico-Robertson area of Los Angeles.
The synagogue was hosting an event to promote the purchase of real estate in Israel, an event protested by several pro-Palestinian groups.
“The defendant’s conduct, if proven, is a serious violation of the law.”
“Every American deserves to live without fear of violence based on who he is or how he worships,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
“The Justice Department is committed to vigorously prosecuting such crimes of hate and violence.”
Zaid Gitesatani, 28, of Carlsbad, California, is charged with one count of hate crime.
According to the indictment, a federal grand jury returned the charge on May 5.
According to the indictment, a real estate agency called “My Home in Israel” had scheduled an event at the synagogue on June 23, 2024.
Several pro-Palestinian groups organized a protest at the location.
Prosecutors allege Gitesatani traveled from San Diego to Los Angeles specifically to attend the protest.
Los Angeles – Zaid Gitesatani has been charged federally with a hate crime after he physically attacked a Jewish man outside the Adas Torah synagogue in 2024.
Gitesatani approached the victim from behind and punched him in the face in what investigators describe as an… pic.twitter.com/Lw70K3kV97
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) May 18, 2026
MyNewsLA reported on the details of the alleged assault:
On the afternoon of the event, a Jewish man whose name was not revealed in court papers was walking his dog near the synagogue.
Gitesatani approached from behind and punched him in the jaw, according to federal prosecutors.
Gitesatani then walked away and retreated into the crowd, the indictment contends.
On the same day, Gitesatani allegedly posted to his Instagram account a screenshot of the assault.
ADVERTISEMENTThe post included a message that read, “Whooped the Zios today and we took their flag,” along with two images of himself displaying his bruised knuckles following the assault, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
The DOJ alleges that in the days after the assault, Gitesatani had an Instagram exchange with another user regarding the attack.
He allegedly wrote, “I whopped 2 zios,” “I swung good on them” and “It was satisfying.”
If convicted, Gitesatani could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison, prosecutors noted.
The indictment also alleges Gitesatani posted a still image of the assault with the caption, “The Chosen People sometimes need a good smack to wake up.”
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
The incident at the synagogue drew national attention in 2024.
Israel National News reported on the scene that day:
Reports from the scene of the June 2024 event said protesters surrounded the synagogue and prevented Jews from entering.
Pro-Israel counterprotesters also gathered at the location.
Clashes later broke out between the groups, with members of both sides pushing, shoving, and throwing punches.
One anti-Israel protester allegedly sprayed bear mace at members of the opposing group as well as at an independent journalist at the scene.
ADVERTISEMENTPolice responded in riot gear and arrested one individual on a misdemeanor charge for allegedly carrying a “spiked flag” during the protest.
Following the incident, then-President Joe Biden condemned the violence and wrote on X, “I’m appalled by the scenes outside of Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles.”
“Intimidating Jewish congregants is dangerous, unconscionable, antisemitic, and un-American,” Biden added.
“Americans have a right to peaceful protest. But blocking access to a house of worship and engaging in violence is never acceptable.”
The former DOJ under Attorney General Merrick Garland announced an investigation into the violence but brought no federal charges.
Now, under President Trump, the Justice Department has acted.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Peaceful protest is constitutionally protected.
Alleged violence outside a house of worship is exactly where federal civil rights enforcement belongs.
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