Russian boy severely beaten for displaying Israeli flag on social media

According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), over 8,800 antisemitic incidents were reported in the United States in the first 11 months of 2025—a 23 percent increase from the already record-breaking numbers in 2024.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

A teenage Russian student in St. Petersburg was severely beaten by peers after he displayed an Israeli flag on his social media profile. Russia’s Investigative Committee is looking into the attack.

Russian media reported that a boy became violent when he noticed his classmate’s Israeli flag display online, began expressing antisemitic views, and denigrated victims of the Holocaust.

Verbal bullying gave way to physical violence during an incident in which the same classmate and an older boy blocked the exits and demanded the victim apologize for responding to the verbal taunts.

The two assailants made the victim go down on his knees, but the victim insisted he would apologize standing up. At that point, he was forced down and beaten in the head by the two boys so badly that he sustained a fracture to the eye socket, which required surgery to remove pieces of bone.

After a weeklong stay in the hospital, the boy is receiving follow-up care, and the school administration is recommending homeschooling.

Investigators are considering whether the violence was motivated by nationalistic hatred.

As of late 2025, antisemitic incidents have risen sharply around the world. According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), over 8,800 antisemitic incidents were reported in the United States in the first 11 months of 2025—a 23 percent increase from the already record-breaking numbers in 2024.

In Russia, independent monitors have documented at least 150 cases of antisemitic hate speech, vandalism or physical assault so far this year, despite tight state control over media reporting.

Shortly after Hamas’ invasion of Israel in 2023, a violent mob stormed the airport in Makhachkala, the capital of Russia’s Dagestan region, after reports circulated on social media that a flight from Tel Aviv had landed there.

Hundreds of men, many chanting antisemitic slogans and waving Palestinian flags, broke through security, searched cars, and tried to locate Jewish or Israeli passengers.

Some stormed the runway and attempted to board the plane. At least 20 people were injured, including law enforcement officers, and dozens were arrested.