Wave of anti-Semitic attacks hits New York

by Alexandra Kelley | Dec. 28, 2019

nypd new york city anti semitism shootings attacks jewish community jersey city bill de blasio

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In the wake of the deadly Jersey City shooting, reports of anti-Semitic attacks have skyrocketed in NYC.
The majority of the attacks have been classified as hate crimes.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio vows to step up police protection in vulnerable areas.

Just two weeks after a lethal shooting at a Jewish market in Jersey City, which was labeled a hate crime, the New York Police Department (NYPD) is reportedly investigating approximately nine additional crimes motivated by anti-Semitism.

According to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Rodney, this new wave of potential hate crimes began around Dec. 13 and was concentrated in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, where a high population of Jewish people reside.

“We are investigating them thoroughly with our hate crimes task force,” Harrison said. “We treat them very seriously and we make sure that our investigators do their best to do what we can to bring the individuals to justice.”

The attacks have been physical, with three women reporting being slapped in the face by a female perpetrator who confessed that she attacked the women “because she believed they were Jewish,” according to police. This preceded another assault Monday, when twin Hasidic Jewish boys were reportedly punched in their apartment building.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Friday that these events are cause for concern in the aftermath of the Jewish market shooting and states that more police officers will be patrolling the Brooklyn borough.

Hate doesn’t have a home in our city.

In light of recent anti-Semitic attacks, the NYPD will increase their presence in Boro Park, Crown Heights and Williamsburg.

Anyone who terrorizes our Jewish community WILL face justice.

— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) December 27, 2019

De Blasio also stated that there will be increased visits — presumably police checkups — on community centers and houses of worship.

Local reports state that the majority of these attacks have been labeled hate crimes by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).

Evan Bernstein, the Regional Director for ADL, said “Enough is enough; now is the time for society to come together in rejection of this hate and for public officials and community leaders to speak up, lead by example, and demand meaningful change to protect the Jewish community.”