Suspects charged with hate crime in attack on Jewish men outside LA restaurant

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said that the two suspects have been charged with a hate crime stemming from an attack on Jewish men outside of an L.A. restaurant in May, The Associated Press reported.

The suspects, Xavier Pabon and Samer Jayylusi, are facing two felony counts of assault and charges stemming from hate crime allegations. 

Authorities say that the suspects were a part of a pro-Palestinian caravan that parked at the Sushi Fumi restaurant on the city’s west side, according to the AP. 

Witnesses told CBS affiliate KCAL that the suspects started to throw bottles and repeatedly shouted “death to Jews” and “free Palestine.” 

The suspects then got out of the vehicle and began asking diners who was Jewish. A brawl erupted after two diners said they were Jewish, according to the CBS affiliate.

The attack happened in the aftermath of Israel bombing the Gaza Strip, which killed at least 200 Palestinians.

Pro-Palestinian protests were taking place throughout the city of L.A. during that week.

Jayylusi, 36, will be arraigned on Tuesday, and Pabon, 30, is scheduled to have a court appearance on Thursday, the CBS affiliate noted.