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ADL Concerned Over Increase and Nature of Anti-Semitic Incidents in Rockland County

  • June 19, 2017

New York, NY, June 19, 2017 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today condemned anti-Semitic vandalism in Clarkstown, Rockland County where, most recently on June 17, a realtor sign advertising a home for sale, part of a sidewalk, and a nearby stop sign were defaced with swastikas and other hateful messages.

ADL has reached out to Clarkstown Police Department to offer resources and assistance.

The vandalism follows a string of similar events in Rockland County. Last week, swastikas were discovered spray-painted on rocks in High Tor State Park, part of which falls within Clarkstown. Less than a mile away, a for-sale house was trashed and defaced on May 23 with floor to ceiling graffiti reading “No Jews” and “No J” in giant black spray-painted letters in Haverstraw.

“We continue to witness hateful and anti-Semitic vandalism targeting the Jewish community in Rockland County. Enough is enough,” said Evan R. Bernstein, ADL New York Regional Director. “This is yet another brazen attempt to intimidate the area’s Jewish residents. We urge Rockland County authorities and state political leadership to join those who have already stood up and condemn this series of anti-Semitic incidents.”

The Rockland County legislature is expected to vote tomorrow on a resolution against this string of recent anti-Semitic and racist acts. ADL is encouraging the Rockland County legislature to adopt the resolution as an important step in the right direction.

ADL’s annual Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents found a 50 percent increase in instances of anti-Jewish vandalism across New York State from 2015 to 2016. In Rockland, swastikas and the words “get out” were spray-painted on a fence bordering a Jewish neighborhood in Ramapo in February. In November 2016, the words “No Jews” were spray-painted onto a realtor’s sign and two vacant homes. In August 2016, the homes of two rabbis were attacked with explosive firecrackers in Monsey.

 The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.  Follow us on Twitter: @ADL_NY