The New York City Police Department is investigating several violent crimes possibly motivated by the war between Israel and Hamas.
There were four incidents of violence against Jews and Palestinians last Wednesday night that sparked NYPD investigations, reported ABC7.
Two Jewish men allegedly approached two men holding Palestinian flags, took one of the flags, and purportedly hit one of the Palestinian men in the head with it before running away, police said. There has yet to be an arrest made in connection with the incident.
Two 16-year-olds allegedly fired pellet guns outside a synagogue the same night. The teenagers were taken into custody.
A Middle Eastern 18-year-old was allegedly attacked by a man waving an Israeli flag. The suspect allegedly jumped out of his car, asked the man if he was Palestinian, and began to attack him. The incident is being investigated as a potential hate crime.
An Israeli student at Columbia University was allegedly struck with a stick by a 19-year-old who was taking down fliers the victim had put up outside a library.
Hamas’ terrorist attacks on Israelis left more than 1,400 dead, according to the Israel Defense Forces, including at least 30 U.S. citizens. Israel has called for the evacuation of more than 1 million Palestinians from northern Gaza to the south as it continues its military response to the attacks.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams described the attacks on Israel by Hamas as demonic at an interfaith reception last week.
“What we saw play out in Israel was not Islam, it was hatred,” Adams said, per ABC 7. “It was demonism. It was devil worshippers. It was those who are against the light. You cannot hide behind your religion to turn out your devilish deeds.”
The day before, Adams spoke at a rally in Manhattan.
“We are not all right when we see young girls pulled from their home and dragged through the streets. We are not all right when we see grandmothers being pulled away from their homes and children shot in front of their families. We are not all right when right here in the City of New York, you have those who celebrate at the same time when the devastation is taking place in our city,” said Adams.
“We will not be all right until every person responsible for this act is held accountable, and we don’t have to pretend,” he continued. “I want to thank my religious leaders throughout this city of all religious group[s] who reached out to us and clearly stated that they denounce the hatred and the anti-Semitism that was displayed on one of the holiest days of the year.”
