Contact: Lindsey Sokol lsokol@adl.org (646) 599-3827 for one-on-one interviews with an ADL NY/NJ representative
ADL Condemns Antisemitic Rhetoric & Violence in New York City After Night of Harassment & Attacks Related to the Middle East Conflict
New York, New York, May 21, 2021 … ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) expressed outrage and deep concern after several violent incidents were reported in NYC showing Jewish individuals being harassed and physically attacked, including an incident which involved an explosive device, in relation to the latest conflict in Israel.
“We are outraged and disgusted by the level of violence and antisemitism that took place last night in midtown Manhattan,” said Scott Richman, ADL New York/New Jersey Regional Director. “Groups of people traveled through the streets blaming individual Jews for the conflict in the Middle East. A Jewish man was attacked and was taken to the hospital to be treated for injuries. A person was injured after an explosive device went off on a public street. This level of vitriol and hatred is outrageous and it must stop now. Scapegoating, blaming, and harming Jewish people on the streets of New York City for the current crisis in Israel does nothing but increase division, stoke hatred, and create fear. The increase in antisemitic incidents we have seen in the past week has been truly disturbing. This violence solves nothing and it must end now. We thank the NYPD for investigating these incidents.”
Anyone with information about these incidents is encouraged to call NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.
ADL is a leading anti-hate organization. Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of antisemitism and bigotry, its timeless mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all. Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of hate with the same vigor and passion. ADL is the first call when acts of antisemitism occur. A global leader in exposing extremism, delivering anti-bias education and fighting hate online, ADL’s ultimate goal is a world in which no group or individual suffers from bias, discrimination or hate.