Bechir Lehbeib sentenced to 2 years in prison for hate crime after snatching American and Israeli flags off a Hewlett homeowner's front yard

A Nassau County judge sentenced a Queens man to 2 years in jail for assaulting a Hewlett homeowner after snatching American and Israeli flags from the man’s front yard in what authorities charged as a hate crime.

Victim Aleksandr Binyaminov, 40, who is self-employed, said he would have let the incident go if Bechir Lehbeib, 26, had just given the banners back when he confronted him on Feb. 6, 2024.

But the Queens man refused, taking two flags, one that said "In this home, we stand with Israel" and then punched Binyaminov to the ground when he tried to stop him, prosecutors said.

Binyaminov said he saw Lehbeib on his doorbell camera snatch the banners and chased after him.

Lehbeib continued to pummel the father of two, head-butting him before fleeing with the flags.

"This defendant’s despicable and unprovoked antisemitic attack brought violence and hate to a Hewlett resident’s doorstep," Nassau District Attorney Anne Donnelly said in a statement. "No one should ever have to live in fear in Nassau County because of their religion, ethnicity, or beliefs."

Last month, Lehbeib pleaded guilty to second-degree assault as a hate crime and criminal mischief after nearly two years behind bars awaiting trial.

Supreme Court Justice Colin O’Donnell sentenced him to 2 years behind bars and 3 years of post-release supervision. The judge also ordered him to stay away from Binyaminov and his family.

Lehbeib, who has been in jail since the incident, was told of his punishment through an Arabic interpreter. He declined to make a statement.

Binyaminov said he bought a gun after the attack and now has to walk his children to their school bus stop because they are afraid.

"Since the day of the incident, my family's sense of safety and peace has been shattered," he said in a prepared statement. "My children, who once felt secure in our neighborhood, now live with constant anxiety. They ask me every night if someone might come back to hurt us, and they struggle to sleep without reassurance."

Outside the courtroom, Binyaminov said he has not interacted with Lehbeib since the attack, but doesn’t feel there’s been any change in his politics.

"I haven seen no remorse from him, but I hope he has changed," he said. "I hope the whole ordeal has changed him and he behaves himself going forward."

Binyaminov said he agreed Lehbeib had served enough time behind bars.

"While I do not object to Mr. Lehbeib's release after serving 2 years, l hope he recognizes that crimes of this nature carry consequences and cannot be ignored. I sincerely hope he uses this opportunity to change his ways, to appreciate the privilege of freedom, and to embrace all that this beautiful country has to offer."