Anti-Semitic Assailant Uses Controversial Plea Deal in Bid for Lighter Sentence
Saadah Masoud is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, March 3, 2023. Masoud, an activist with the radical anti-Israel group Within Our Lifetime, pleaded guilty to “participating in a conspiracy to commit hate crime acts” in connection with multiple physical assaults on Jews in New York City in 2021 and 2022.
In a letter to the judge, Masoud’s lawyers specifically reference Awawdeh’s plea deal, stating, “Six months’ imprisonment will importantly avoid creating large sentencing disparities between that imposed in the case against Mr. Masoud, and that imposed in similar state prosecutions currently pending. Waseem Awawdeh, for example, [who is] facing charges stemming from the same Times Square May 20, 2021 incident … ”
It is unconscionable that Masoud’s lawyers are using Awawdeh’s outrageously lenient plea bargain, which amounts to a slap on the wrist of a violent anti-Semitic attacker, to garner the same for Saadah Masoud.
Masoud is charged with three separate assaults, including the horrific attack of Matthew Greenman, an Israel supporter walking to a rally on crutches who was sent to the hospital by Masoud with a concussion and multiple injuries.
Masoud is charged with three separate assaults, including the horrific attack of Matthew Greenman, an Israel supporter walking to a rally on crutches who was sent to the hospital by Masoud with a concussion and multiple injuries.
When Awawdeh’s plea deal became public, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman remarked, "We are setting a dangerous precedent. We are sending a dangerous message to those people who would engage in any kind of hate crime that New York City, Manhattan, is going to be lenient."
That dangerous precedent has now been set, and it is up to the city of New York to decide if they will continue to let dangerous anti-Semitic assailants off with a mere slap on the wrist while new assaults occur almost daily.
Connections Between Anti-Semitic Assailants
It is no coincidence either that Masoud is closely following Awawdeh’s trial. The two criminals are longtime friends. When Awawdeh was released from jail after being formally charged, Masoud was there with a group of buddies greeting him and cheering: “put your head up! …You a f**kin’ Hero!!”
Masoud filmed as Awawdeh’s friends hoisted him onto their shoulders as he held a crutch. His friends chanted: “Free, free Palestine!!” Masoud uploaded the video to his Instagram account - @red_lion_kingg (account since has been deleted).
Background Details on Masoud's Trial
In February, U.S. District Judge Denise Cote. Judge Cote revoked Masoud’s pretrial release after Masoud repeatedly violated his bail conditions.
As part of his guilty plea, Masoud admitted to committing the following acts of violence:
“On or about April 20, 2022, Masoud assaulted a victim who was wearing an Israeli flag”
“On or about June 2, 2021, in Brooklyn, Masoud and a co-conspirator assaulted a victim who was wearing clothing traditionally associated with the Jewish religion, while the victim was sitting outside the victim’s own home:
“On or about May 20, 2021, in Manhattan, Masoud assaulted a victim who was wearing a Star of David necklace”
Other Anti-Semitic Assailants Charged With Hate Crimes
Waseem Awawdeh pled guilty in April 2023 to attempted assault as a hate crime and criminal possession of a weapon for an anti-Semitic attack he carried out on May 20, 2021.
Mahmoud R. Musa was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty for assaulting a Jewish man in a 2021 mob attack during a violent anti-Israel counterprotest.
Mohammed Othman pled guilty to multiple anti-Semitic crimes, including joining in a violent mob attack on a Jewish man.
Mohammed Said Othman pled guilty to participating in a violent mob attack on a Jewish man in May 2021 in New York.
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Suleiman Othman was arrested in January 2022 after physically attacking a Jewish man the prior month. He entered a guilty plea in May 2023 and was set to receive a sentence of “60 days in jail and three years’ probation.”