Chicago Man Sentenced to 600 Days for Hate Crime Assault on Israeli Reservist at DePaul University
Kasem Novani, a 24-year-old from the Chicago area, was sentenced on Saturday to 600 days in prison after pleading guilty to a hate crime for his role in the premeditated assault of an Israeli Defense Forces reservist and a Jewish student at DePaul University in Chicago. The attack occurred on November 6, 2024, outside the university's student center during the day. Max Long, an IDF reservist studying at DePaul, and his friend Michael Kaminski had set up an informational booth with signs inviting students to "Talk to an IDF Soldier" and calling to "Stop Antisemitism."
According to the indictment, Novani and his accomplice Adam Arkin arrived masked at the scene. Arkin distracted Long and Kaminski while Novani attacked Long from behind, repeatedly striking his head and body, causing Long to lose consciousness. Kaminski was also assaulted, suffering a broken wrist that required surgery. Long sustained a severe brain injury, including a hematoma and concussion, and continued to experience memory loss and required ongoing medical care months after the attack.
Novani was arrested about 18 months later during a traffic stop in Arkansas and extradited to Illinois. DNA evidence linked him to clothing discarded at the scene, and Arkin identified him as the attacker. Arkin, initially charged with serious offenses including hate crimes, pleaded guilty to lesser assault charges and received community service and probation, a sentence criticized by Jewish organizations in Chicago as too lenient.
In addition to the criminal case, Long and Kaminski filed a civil lawsuit against DePaul University, alleging negligence and failure to protect Jewish and Israeli students. They claim university security personnel were present but did not intervene effectively during the attack. The university has sought dismissal of the lawsuit, arguing it was not obligated to protect the students, but the case remains unresolved publicly.
Novani had a prior legal encounter after participating in a pro-Palestinian protest at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where he was charged with trespassing after breaking through a security fence.
Summary: Kasem Novani was sentenced to 600 days in prison for a hate crime assault on an Israeli reservist and Jewish student at DePaul University in Chicago in November 2024. The attack caused severe injuries, and a civil suit accuses the university of negligence. Novani’s accomplice received a lighter sentence, sparking criticism from Jewish groups.
