Swastikas scrawled on Jewish newspaper boxes in New York on Yom Kippur
No arrests made over antisemitic graffiti in Queens neighborhood of Kew Garden Hills, which NYPD is investigating as a hate crime
Luke Tress is a JTA reporter and a former editor and reporter in New York for The Times of Israel.
Swastikas were found on newspaper boxes distributing Jewish publications in New York City on Wednesday night, as the solemn Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur drew to a close.
The antisemitic graffiti was found in Kew Garden Hills, an area of Queens with a large Jewish population.
Daniel Rosenthal, who represents the area in the state assembly, posted pictures online showing swastikas on boxes for the Jewish newspapers The Queens Jewish Link, The Bukharian Jewish Link and The 5 Towns Jewish Times.
“We must be able to feel safe in our neighborhoods. We must do more. The continued rise of antisemitism is unsustainable and unacceptable,” Rosenthal said.
The Anti-Defamation League said it was in touch with law enforcement to learn more about the incident.
No arrests have been made in the case, which the New York Police Department said it was investigating as a hate crime.
On the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, newspapers racks distributing Jewish publications were vandalized with swastikas.
We must be able to feel safe in our neighborhoods. We must do more. The continued rise of antisemitism is unsustainable and unacceptable. pic.twitter.com/WCz5wrRGar
— Daniel Rosenthal (@DanRosenthalNYC) October 6, 2022
“I condemn this disgusting vandalism in Kew Gardens Hills,” tweeted US Representative Grace Meng, whose district includes the neighborhood. “This antisemitism is unacceptable, especially during Yom Kippur. There is no place for hate!”
The antisemitic graffiti comes amid a surge in antisemitic attacks in New York City, with the ADL reporting a record-high number of incidents last year. Jews are consistently the group most targeted in hate crimes in the city on an annual basis, in per capita and absolute terms.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
