Christopher Husary, a masked anti-Israel agitator, was recently released on supervised release after pleading not guilty to charges of attempted coercion as a hate crime and aggravated harassment. He was accused of threatening a Jewish man on a Manhattan train while wearing a Hezbollah t-shirt. The judge in the case explained that the charges were not bail eligible, and Husary will remain free until he reports to prison in California next year for a hate crime robbery charge related to an incident in January 2024 where he burned an Israeli flag after shoving a woman to the ground.
During the incident on the train, Husary allegedly targeted the Jewish man, Joshua Savitt, after noticing Savitt taking a photo of him and another person vandalizing the train car. Husary directed anti-Jewish abuse at Savitt and threatened him. Savitt did not comment on Husary’s supervised release but expressed hope that it would serve as a strong message to deter such behavior in the future. The prosecution recounted the insults and threats Husary made towards Savitt during the incident, and the court also prohibited Husary from contacting Savitt, particularly on social media.
Husary appeared in court in a jail-issued jumpsuit and handcuffs, looking glum during the proceedings. At one point, he expressed a desire to speak but was advised by the judge to let his attorney speak on his behalf. The attorney clarified that Husary took issue with the characterization of his case in California, where he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a one-year prison term. Husary was thereafter extradited to face charges in the case involving Savitt’s harassment on the train. Savitt had reported the incident to the police after identifying Husary as the aggressor, who was living with his parents in California at the time.
In an exclusive interview with The Post, Savitt explained that he witnessed Husary and another person vandalizing a train car with the words “Free Gaza” near Union Square. After taking a photo of them, the vandals confronted Savitt and began hurling insults at him, including calling him a “Zionist.” Husary, in particular, made threatening remarks towards Savitt and tried to prevent him from taking photos. Savitt filed a police report following the incident. Husary defended himself by claiming that Savitt was the aggressor for taking photos and that he only raised his hand in self-defense as a result of feeling harassed.
Husary will remain free until reporting to prison in California next year, despite the serious charges brought against him for the incident involving Savitt on the train. The court proceedings highlighted the threats and anti-Semitic abuse that Husary directed towards Savitt during the encounter. Through it all, Savitt and the prosecution hope that Husary’s supervision will discourage him and others from engaging in such behavior in the future. Husary’s previous history of hate crime charges and allegations of aggressive behavior underscore the severity of his actions and the need for appropriate legal repercussions.
