New York, NY, December 1, 2015 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today said it was deeply disturbed by an alleged anti-Semitic assault against the manager of a Judaica shop on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
According to reports, the perpetrator entered the West Side Judaica & Bookstore on Broadway between 88th and 89th streets and punched the victim in the eye while exclaiming “(Expletive) you Jews. I’ll kill you. I’m a Muslim.”
“We are deeply disturbed by this horrific assault and shocked that it occurred in broad daylight in a neighborhood where Jews largely do not fear being singled out for violence,” said Evan R. Bernstein, ADL New York Regional Director. “We are glad that the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating as a potential hate crime.
“The NYPD’s response to anti-Semitic incidents across the five boroughs has been exemplary,” Mr. Bernstein added. “We are confident NYPD will examine all the facts, including the perpetrator’s alleged remarks, to determine whether the attack was indeed motivated by anti-Jewish animus.”
According to ADL’s annual Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents, which tracks both criminal and non-criminal acts of anti-Semitism, New York State experienced a 14 percent increase in anti-Semitic incidents in 2014, including 54 incidents in Manhattan and 147 citywide.
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