The NYPD has increased security at the synagogue before Passover, citing that 62% of all city hate crimes “have targeted Jews.”
“As usual, we are increasing the number of patrols around the synagogue, so we can expect to see a unified development in dedicated places of worship,” the top officer told a press conference with Mayor Eric Adams and other officials on Wednesday, ahead of the Jewish holidays that began on April 12 and continued through April 20.
“Don't be afraid to worship anyone. The community should not feel like a target.”
Gary Marcus, assistant inspector Gary Marcus, commander of the NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force, said the shocking rise in anti-Semitic crimes was “jumping off as the biggest category of hatred and the biggest category of hatred.”
More than half of all hate crimes in New York City are committed against Jews,” he added.
Anti-Semite hate crime trends rose 7% year-on-year in 2024, according to NYPD data. These figures show that they targeted 54% of all hate crimes in 2024.
A Jewish Columbia University student was the victim of two anti-Semitic attacks in 2024. Recently, it is said that anti-Israeli protester Tarekbazluk punched him in his face and called him a Nazi outside Morningside Heights School.
In September, the Jewish barber of Yonkers was allegedly stabbed with his own scissors after being furious about the war in Gaza, screaming, “I want to kill you, you want to kill the Jews.”
On October 17th, the destroyer ran a sw on the second avenue deli, writing “The Pride of Israel” below it.
Mayor Adams also spoke on Wednesday about the rise in hate crimes against Jews since the attack on October 7, 2023.
“This is an important time for the Jewish community… On October 7th, when we saw the second Holocaust that has probably impacted the Jewish community,” Adams said at a news conference.
“We want you to let you know loudly and clearly. We want to have a police there that is there, as we do at all Passover, but we need you to be our eyes and ears.
“It is essential that we continue to partner with the communities where we more forcefully enforce ourselves and how we combine them with stronger communities to support and protect them.”
