:: A man was arrested in New York after he physically and verbally attacked a woman and her daughter, calling them “dirty Muslims,” even though they were in fact Jewish.

The women were leaving a subway station at New York’s 67th Avenue when they were confronted by the man, named by police as Dimitrios Zias, 40, who was drunk.

It is claimed that Zias told the women: “Go back to your f****** country you dirty Muslims,” before spitting in the 37-year-old daughter’s face.

The authorities say the defendant punched the woman to the ground and then pulled her back up with her hair.

It is claimed that Zias did not understand why he was being arrested and is said to have then asked: “Is it because I’m rich and white?”

Zias was charged with assault as a hate crime and bail was set at $50,000. He is due to appear again on Sept. 27.

In March New York City police figures showed a year-on-year 55 percent increase in hate crimes, despite an overall drop in crime.