AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The stabbing of a 23-year-old Palestinian American who advocates say was attacked near the University of Texas campus while riding in a truck displaying support for Palestine merits the label of a hate crime, Austin police announced Wednesday. Police said Wednesday that their Hate Crimes Review Committee had determined that the stabbing met the definition of a hate crime. A fight ensued, with Baker eventually pulling out a knife and stabbing Doar in the rib, the affidavit said. In Vermont in November, three college students of Palestinian descent were shot and seriously wounded while taking an evening walk in an attack that authorities are investigating as a possible hate crime. He was charged with a hate crime after police and relatives said he singled out the victims because of their faith.

---

Persons: Bert James Baker, Doar, Baker Organizations: University of Texas, Austin, Police, Islamic, Palestine, Jewish, Hamas Locations: AUSTIN, Texas, Palestine, Travis, Israel, Gaza, Vermont, Illinois