How Marilyn Adler’s confrontation with Baraket sisters over Israeli hostages led to legal action

Marilyn Adler is a New York City resident who gained attention for her efforts to confront two individuals tearing down posters depicting Israeli child hostages. Her decision to file a police report and pursue charges against the two women involved in the incident underscored her determination to address the episode.

What happened on October 28, 2023?

On October 28, 2023, Adler was walking with her 12-year-old daughter near the corner of 72nd Street and Broadway in Manhattan, when she noticed two women ripping off posters that showed the faces of four Israeli children who were kidnapped by Hamas militants in Gaza on October 7, 2023. The posters were part of a campaign by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY) to raise awareness and demand the release of the hostages, who are among the 230 people still held captive by Hamas.

Marilyn Adler, who is Jewish and has relatives in Israel, felt outraged by the act of vandalism and decided to confront the women, who were later identified as Aya and Dana Baraket, sisters and TikTok stars with over 10 million followers combined. Adler recorded the encounter on her phone and posted it on social media, where it quickly went viral.

In the video, Adler can be heard asking the sisters why they were tearing down the posters, to which they replied that they were “Palestinian” and that the posters were “propaganda”. Adler then accused them of being “anti-Semitic” and “terrorists”, and demanded that they stop. The sisters refused and continued to rip off the posters while mocking Adler and her daughter. At one point, Aya Baraket grabbed Adler’s phone and threw it on the ground, breaking it.

Adler said she felt “violated” and “assaulted” by the sisters, and that she wanted to “stand up for the truth”. She also said she was concerned about the safety of her daughter, who was visibly shaken by the incident.

What are the legal consequences for the Baraket sisters?

After the incident, Marilyn Adler filed a police report and pressed charges against the Baraket sisters for criminal mischief, harassment, and endangering the welfare of a child. She also contacted the JCRC-NY and expressed her support for their campaign.

The Baraket sisters, who are US citizens of Palestinian origin, have not publicly commented on the incident, but have deleted their TikTok accounts and other social media profiles. They have also hired a lawyer, who said they would cooperate with the authorities and that they regretted their actions.

According to New York law, criminal mischief is a misdemeanor that can result in up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. Harassment is also a misdemeanor that can result in up to 90 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $500. Endangering the welfare of a child is a class A misdemeanor that can result in up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.

The Baraket sisters are scheduled to appear in court on November 15, 2023, where they will face the charges and the possibility of conviction. If convicted, they could also face civil lawsuits from Adler and the JCRC-NY, who could seek damages for the property damage, emotional distress, and defamation caused by the incident.

Why is this incident important?

The incident involving Marilyn Adler and the Baraket sisters has sparked a heated debate on social media and in the media, where people have expressed their opinions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the rights of free speech and expression, and the role of social media influencers in shaping public opinion.

Some people have praised Adler for her courage and activism, and have condemned the Baraket sisters for their disrespect and violence. They have also called for more support and solidarity for the Israeli hostages and their families and for more pressure on Hamas to release them.

Other people have criticized Marilyn Adler for her aggression and intolerance, and have defended the Baraket sisters for their resistance and expression. They have also questioned the legitimacy and accuracy of the posters, and have accused the JCRC-NY of spreading misinformation and propaganda.

The incident has also raised questions about the ethics and responsibilities of social media influencers, who have a large and loyal following, especially among young people. Some people have argued that the Baraket sisters abused their power and influence and that they should be held accountable for their actions and their impact on their audience. They have also suggested that social media platforms should have more regulations and guidelines for content creators and that they should monitor and remove harmful and hateful content.

Other people have maintained that the Baraket sisters have the right to express their views and opinions and that they should not be censored or punished for their content. They have also asserted that social media platforms should respect and protect the freedom and diversity of speech and expression and that they should not interfere with or influence the content and preferences of their users.

The incident has also highlighted the ongoing and complex conflict between Israel and Palestine, which has been marked by violence, oppression, and injustice for decades. The incident has exposed the deep and bitter divisions and tensions that exist between the two sides, and the challenges and difficulties that they face in finding a peaceful and lasting solution.

The incident has also demonstrated the power and influence of social media, which has become a major source of information, communication, and entertainment for millions of people around the world. The incident has shown how social media can be used to spread awareness, mobilize action, and create change, but also how it can be used to spread misinformation, incite violence, and create hate.