NYPD Investigating Spate of Antisemitic Hate Crimes, as Stats Show Targeting of New York City Jews on Rise

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) is investigating three incidents in Brooklyn last weekend as potential antisemitic hate crimes, while new statistics show a sharp rise in the targeting of Jews in the city.

On Friday night, two Jewish men were assaulted in separate street ambushes by unidentified perpetrators just minutes apart in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, with neither suffering serious injuries.

Footage of the second incident can be viewed here:

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

The NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force later published an image of a possible suspect.

🚨Update🚨New photo in connection with this anti-Semitic assault.
Know him⬇️⬇️⬇️? DM us or ☎️1-800-577-TIPS(8477) with any info. https://t.co/eMtb7i0nH9 pic.twitter.com/ZN3uiT6aRy

— NYPD Hate Crimes (@NYPDHateCrimes) February 8, 2022

On Sunday morning, swastika graffiti was discovered on buses belonging to yeshivas in Williamsburg.

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

The Hate Crime Task Force is seeking to speak with these individuals in relation to multiple vandalism incidents, including the drawing of swastikas on 2/5/22, in the confines of @NYPD90Pct. Any info? DM us or. @NYPDTips or ☎️1-800-577-TIPS. @NYPDDetectives @UnitedJewish pic.twitter.com/fHK70cQmLK

— NYPD Hate Crimes (@NYPDHateCrimes) February 8, 2022

It has yet to be determined if the incidents were connected.

Later on Sunday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams tweeted, “Hatred won’t be tolerated in our city. Anti-Semitic acts of violence are an attack on every New Yorker and they will be met with the force of the entire city.”

Hatred won’t be tolerated in our city. Anti-Semitic acts of violence are an attack on every New Yorker and they will be met with the force of the entire city.

If you have any information on these attacks, please contact @NYPDNews immediately. https://t.co/8QkbU193wf

— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) February 7, 2022

Meanwhile, fresh NYPD data showed antisemitic hate crimes in New York City nearly quadrupled in January compared to the same month last year — jumping from four to 15.

In recent years, Jews have been the most-targeted group for hate crimes in New York, according to the NYPD, including a nearly 50% increase in 2021 from 2020.