Attacker convicted in 2024 antisemitic hate crime at DePaul sentenced to nearly two years in prison

A man has received a prison sentence for a premeditated antisemitic hate crime that occurred at DePaul University in Chicago. Kasem Noubani, 24, was sentenced to 600 days in jail after pleading guilty to the hate crime on August 4. The attack, which took place in November 2024, targeted an IDF reservist and another Jewish student.

Noubani and an accomplice, Adam Arkan, allegedly planned the assault. Arkan distracted the victims while Noubani attacked the IDF reservist, Max Long, striking him repeatedly and causing him to lose consciousness. Long, who was studying at DePaul after serving in Israel, suffered a severe concussion, brain injury, and memory loss. His friend, Michael Kaminsky, who attempted to intervene, sustained a broken wrist requiring surgery.

Noubani was apprehended in Arkansas approximately 18 months after the incident and subsequently extradited to Illinois. Investigators identified him through DNA evidence found on clothing discarded by Noubani and the ski mask worn during the attack. Arkan also identified Noubani as the assailant. The attack occurred outside the university's student center as Long and Kaminsky were operating an information booth about Israel and antisemitism.