Teens wanted by NY police for antisemitic attacks during Passover

Group harassed and threatened Jews in Queens by shouting racist insults, throwing stones, brandishing razor blade, NYPD says

By Luke Tress 10 April 2023, 10:28 am 8 Edit

Luke Tress is an editor and a reporter in New York for The Times of Israel.

Surevillance camera footage showing a group of teens suspected of two antisemtic attacks in New York on April 7, 2023. (Screenshot/Youtube; used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

NEW YORK — A group of teens is accused of attacking Jews in New York City during the Passover holiday by hurling antisemitic insults at their victims and threatening one of them with a blade.

Police said the group of three, believed to be teenagers, had harassed and threatened a 49-year-old man in the borough of Queens on Friday, the third day of Passover.

The assailants shouted antisemitic insults at the man, threw rocks at him, and then brandished a razor at the victim.

The attackers fled the scene when a bystander intervened, police told The Times of Israel.

The incident happened next to an Orthodox yeshiva in the Far Rockaway neighborhood.

Later that day, the group approached a 48-year-old man while making antisemitic remarks. The victim argued with the assailants, who shoved him, then ran away.

The New York Police Department’s Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the incidents as suspected menacing and aggravated harassment.

Police have offered a $3,500 reward for information.

The New York Police Department released surveillance camera footage of the group to aid in identifying the teens.

WANTED for a Menacing/Aggravated Harassment in the vicinity of Caffrey Ave & Mott Ave #Queens @NYPD101pct on 4/7/23@ 2:45 P.M shouting Anti-Semitic remarks while throwing rocks & displayed a razor toward the victim.Reward up to $3500 Know who they are?Call 1-800-577-TIPS pic.twitter.com/i0p8wfohv1

— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) April 9, 2023

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said, “No community should be targeted for their faith, and no child should ever think hateful behavior like this is acceptable.”

In New York City, 263 hate crimes targeting Jews were reported to police in 2022, an average of one antisemitic incident in the city every 33 hours.

The NYPD reported 32 antisemitic incidents in March, representing over half of all bias crimes in the city.

Reported incidents ranged from violent assault to verbal harassment, property damage, and antisemitic graffiti.

Jewish security groups have said that many attacks likely go unreported.