## Introduction
In a shocking incident that highlights the growing concern of hate crimes in the United States, a Palestinian-American man was brutally attacked in Austin, Texas. The victim, Zacharia Doar, was stabbed in the back after attending a protest calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. This hate-motivated assault not only left Zacharia injured but also raises serious questions about the rise of Islamophobia and anti-Arab sentiments in the country. In this article, we delve into the details of the incident, explore the broader context of hate crimes, and discuss the urgent need for action to combat this alarming trend.
The Attack and its Aftermath
Zacharia Doar, a 23-year-old Palestinian-American, had joined his father, Nizar Doar, at a protest in Austin, Texas, demanding an end to the Israel-Hamas conflict. While Nizar and a friend were heading back home, Zacharia decided to stay behind with some friends for a meal. However, as they stopped at a traffic light, an unidentified man approached their car and attempted to rip a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf hanging from the window. The situation quickly escalated, with racial slurs being hurled at Zacharia and his friends. The assailant then proceeded to open the car door and viciously stab Zacharia in the back, even breaking one of his ribs.
The attack left Zacharia in immense pain, and he was rushed to the hospital where he received two pints of blood. Fortunately, he was able to leave the hospital a few days later, but the physical and emotional scars from the incident will undoubtedly take time to heal. The assailant, identified as Bert James Baker, was apprehended and charged with second-degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The Austin police have acknowledged the incident as a “bias-motivated incident” and have indicated that it will be reviewed by the Hate Crimes Review Committee.
Rise of Anti-Palestinian Sentiments
The attack on Zacharia Doar is not an isolated incident but rather part of a disturbing trend of rising anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab, and anti-Muslim sentiments in the United States. The Israel-Hamas conflict, which erupted in October, has exacerbated tensions and led to a surge in hate crimes targeting individuals from these communities. The conflict, which resulted in the deaths of more than 1,200 people, has intensified the polarization and deep-seated prejudices that exist within American society.
In recent months, there have been numerous reported cases of hate crimes against Arabs and Muslims across the country. In Vermont, three Palestinian students were shot while on a walk, an act described by the county attorney general as a “hateful act.” In Illinois, a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy was tragically stabbed to death, and his mother was hospitalized in a hate crime committed by their landlord who was angered by the Israel-Hamas war. These incidents and many others expose the alarming reality that hate crimes are on the rise, targeting innocent individuals solely based on their ethnicity or religious background.
Condemnation and Calls for Action
The attack on Zacharia Doar has drawn widespread condemnation from various quarters, highlighting the urgent need for action against hate crimes and the underlying prejudices that fuel them. Edward Ahmed Mitchell, the national deputy director of the Council on American Islamic Relations, has strongly denounced the incident, stating that it is a result of the rise in anti-Palestinian racism and Islamophobia. Mitchell emphasizes that those responsible for such violence must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, while also calling for condemnation of the hate that leads to these acts.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) has called on the Justice Department to investigate the incident, recognizing that the constant dehumanization of Palestinians, Arab, and Muslim Americans has real and dangerous consequences. Tlaib emphasizes that the attack on Zacharia Doar is not an isolated event but a reflection of a broader issue that needs to be addressed urgently.
Impact on the Doar Family
The attack on Zacharia Doar has deeply affected his family, who have lived in the United States for 35 years without fearing for their safety. Nizar Doar, Zacharia’s father, expressed his shock and anguish, stating that he thought he might lose his son. He describes Zacharia as his pride and joy, and the incident has left him devastated.
Zacharia, who is married and has a 5-month-old son, was an integral part of his family’s automotive business. However, the stabbing incident could have been prevented, according to Nizar. He believes that putting an end to the war in Gaza, including establishing an immediate cease-fire, would help eliminate the spillover of hate crimes in the United States. Nizar emphasizes that this issue goes beyond just the Palestinian, Muslim, or Arab communities; it is a matter of humanity that requires global attention and solidarity.
