New York, NY, January 14, 2015 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today expressed concern over the January 12 etching of a large swastika into the glass of a waiting area at the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) station in Cedarhurst, New York, a town that is home to a large Jewish population.

According to reports, this is the second incident of anti-Semitic vandalism that took place over the past few days at the LIRR Cedarhurst station.

Evan R. Bernstein, ADL New York Regional Director, issued the following statement:

The etching of a large swastika at a busy Long Island train station sends a message of hate to this south shore community. Anti-Semitic incidents like this have one goal: to intimidate the community and instill fear.

The image of a swastika is particularly troubling at this time when Jewish communities across the globe are feeling especially vulnerable in the wake of the terror attacks in Paris.

We urge public figures and community leaders across all of Nassau County to condemn this incident in the strongest terms and make clear that anti-Semitism and other acts of hate are simply unacceptable.

According to ADL’s annual Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents, Long Island experienced 62 incidents in 2013, including 26 in Nassau County and 203 across the state.

ADL is a founding member of a newly formed coalition of organizations to combat anti-Semitism on Long Island with the goal of educating the public about potential threats and providing resources and proper responses to anti-Semitic incidents.

 

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