Antisemitic hate crimes in New York City almost quadrupled in January 2022 compared to the same month last year, US media outlets reported, citing NYPD crime statistics.
Throughout the month of January, 15 different antisemitic incidents were reported. This is a stark contrast with January 2021, which only saw four incidents reported.
But as January ended, antisemitic incidents did not, with more happening in the city at the beginning of February.
Over the weekend, a school bus for a yeshiva in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, with visible Yiddish writing was vandalized with antisemitic graffiti, including the use of the Nazi swastika.
Another Hate Crime incident in Williamsburg: @WspuShomrim , @NYPD90Pct & @NYPDHateCrimes Task Force are investigating after Multiple Yeshiva School Buses were sprayed with swastika graffiti on Division Ave & Rodney St. pic.twitter.com/qreREonXfn
— WILLIAMSBURG NEWS (@WMSBG) February 6, 2022
Another incident occurred last Friday night, on February 4, when a 24-year-old ultra-Orthodox Jewish man was suddenly assaulted when an unidentified individual ran up behind him and attacked him on the sidewalk, knocking his shtreimel onto the ground.
On 2/4/22, at approx 10:26 PM, at 104 Stockton St, an individual approached a male, 24, dressed in traditional Hasidic attire, and punched him in the face. Info? DM us or @NYPDTips or ☎️1-800-577-TIPS @NYPDDetectives @NYPD79Pct @UnitedJewish @ADL_NYNJ @JCRCNY @NYPDSHOMRIMSOCI pic.twitter.com/pHRN3vUwrB
— NYPD Hate Crimes (@NYPDHateCrimes) February 7, 2022
Another incident also reportedly occurred on the same day in the same area, where another Jew was assaulted.
The assaults were condemned by New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
"Hatred won't be tolerated in our city," Adams tweeted. "Antisemitic acts of violence are an attack on every New Yorker and they will be met with the force of the entire city."
All three incidents were highly criticized by the Anti-Defamation League, which is offering a $7,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of the assailants involved.
We are offering a $7.5k reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual/s responsible for two reportedly #antisemitic assaults in #Williamsburg on Friday night. Urging those with info to contact @NYPDTips & @NYPDHateCrimes. Our statement here: pic.twitter.com/wGKlH7Vt8u
— ADL New York / New Jersey (@ADL_NYNJ) February 6, 2022
The NYPD is also investigating these incidents as hate crimes, and is looking for information that could lead to arrests. Any tips could be rewarded with up to $3,500.
The antisemitic assaults on Friday night, which took place during Shabbat, led to New York City politicians, police, the Williamsburg Shomrim and the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn (UJO) to have a discussion addressing the matter.
We joined @LincolnRestler @NYPDCommAffairs Inspector Richie Taylor, @NYPD79Pct @NYPD90Pct @NYPDHateCrimes @WspuShomrim & leaders to address Sabbath hate attacks. We are grateful for the strong response, and look forward for continued beefed up presence to end the scourge of hate pic.twitter.com/bKtt0jMJDo
— UJO of Williamsburg (@UnitedJewish) February 7, 2022
"We are grateful for the strong response, and look forward to continued beefed-up presence to end the scourge of hate," the UJO said.