Reuven Kahane said arrested in NYC for felony assault on anti-Israel protesters

NEW YORK (AP) — A New York real estate developer is charged with felony assault after police said he hit a woman with his car during a pro-Palestinian demonstration led by students connected to the Columbia University protest movement.

Reuven Kahane, 57, was arrested Tuesday morning after driving his car into a 55-year-old volunteer safety marshal for the protest, according to witnesses and a New York police department spokesperson.

The woman, who was treated at a hospital for minor injuries, was also arrested, but charges of criminal mischief against her and another demonstrator were dropped Wednesday by the Manhattan district attorney. Kahane was released from custody while he awaits trial.

Reached by phone on Wednesday afternoon, Reuven Kahane, an Orthodox rabbi and businessman who lives in the Manhattan neighborhood where the protest took place, declined to comment on the events leading up to his arrest.

An argument reportedly broke out yesterday between Kahane and a group of dozens of protesters who were demonstrating next to the Upper East Side home of a Columbia University board of trustees member. As the protesters were leaving, Kahane allegedly drove toward the group, hitting one person.

Alongside Kahane, police arrested two of the protesters — volunteer safety marshal Maryellen Novak, 55, who according to some reports jumped in front of the vehicle which she perceived as a threat, and John Rozendaal, 63.

Police said Kahane “tapped” one of the demonstrators, who was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. All three arrested individuals are residents of Manhattan.

With contributions from JTA.