New York orders stepped up-protection of Jewish sites after antisemitism spike
‘Hate has no place in our state,’ says Gov. Cuomo, ordering increased patrols at synagogues, schools and other Jewish community facilities

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Monday ordered state police to step up protection at Jewish sites across the state following a surge in antisemitic attacks in recent days.
“Hate has no place in our state,” Cuomo said, adding that he had directed New York State Police to increase patrols at synagogues, schools and other Jewish community facilities “following a spike of violent attacks.”
“Antisemitic violence and intimidation is antithetical to the promise and purpose of New York State, and we will not tolerate it in any form,” he said.
“We will continue to do everything in our power to help ensure Jewish New Yorkers — and New Yorkers of all faiths — have the peace, safety, and security they deserve,” he said.
Hate has no place in our state.
I am directing the @nyspolice to increase patrols at synagogues, schools & other Jewish community facilities following a spike of violent attacks.
We will do all we can to help ensure Jewish New Yorkers—and New Yorkers of all faiths—are safe.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) May 24, 2021
State troopers will increase patrols at Jewish educational and religious facilities in New York City, Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Nassau and Suffolk counties, a statement said.
Increased police visibility was also planned for the Sabbath.
In recent weeks, Jewish communities across the country experienced antisemitism during and after the conflict in Gaza and Israel. In New York City, amid dueling pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian rallies on Thursday, multiple Jews were assaulted in the street.
In the days following, Jews across New York posted on social media about being threatened, harassed or otherwise attacked for being Jewish. The reports were reminiscent of a string of antisemitic incidents in New York in the months before the pandemic shut down street life globally. Nationwide, the Anti-Defamation League recorded an increase in antisemitic incidents in the first week of the Israel-Hamas fighting.
There were attacks on synagogues and individual Jews in other cities as well. Synagogues in Florida, Illinois and Arizona were targeted. Earlier in the week, two antisemitic incidents were caught on video in Los Angeles.
The antisemitic incidents have led some to refrain from wearing Jewish symbols publicly out of fear of being attacked.
On Sunday, hundreds of people rallied for Israel in New York City days after a ceasefire ended the fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The demonstration in lower Manhattan, organized by the Israeli-American Council and other pro-Israel organizations, principally featured traditional messages of supporting Israel. Speakers asserted that Israel and Jews in New York City faced a common enemy.
“We are here today against terror, united against terrorism,” said Tal Shuster, one of the event’s organizers, in a speech. “We do not accept any type of terror, not in New York, not in Israel, not anywhere in the world.”