A Jewish man, who wishes to remain anonymous out of fear, was targeted in an apparent hate crime when a bag of dog feces was hurled at his face by a bike-riding assailant in Soho, New York City. The incident occurred on June 4, as the victim was leaving work. According to the victim, the attacker yelled anti-Semitic slurs before throwing the bag and swiftly fleeing the scene.
The victim, a 32-year-old Hasidic father of four, expressed his skepticism about the chances of his attacker facing significant consequences if apprehended. He criticized what he perceived as lenient prosecution and soft-on-crime policies, which he believes contribute to a lack of fear among criminals. The victim emphasized the need for the City Council and the justice system to take hate crimes seriously and strengthen their response to prevent such incidents from occurring.
Recalling a previous assault he endured approximately 12 years ago during his honeymoon in Los Angeles, the victim highlighted the recurring nature of anti-Semitic attacks. The recent incident has left him shaken and feeling unsafe, prompting concerns about his personal security and the safety of his Jewish coworkers. While some have suggested he conceal his yarmulke, the victim firmly stated that he refuses to compromise his religious identity.
The assault on the Jewish man comes amidst a surge in anti-Semitic hate crimes in New York City following the Israel-Hamas conflict. NYPD data reveals a 150% increase in anti-Jewish hate crimes in May compared to the same period in 2023. The victim expressed his disbelief at becoming a statistic, emphasizing the need for immediate action to address this alarming trend.
1 Response
This is absolutely sickening and despicable. It is beyond comprehension how someone could stoop so low as to commit such a heinous act of hate and violence. Targeting someone based on their religion is not only morally repugnant but also goes against the very principles of humanity. Nobody should have to live in fear simply because of their faith. This incident is a stark reminder that bigotry and prejudice still exist in our society, and it is our collective responsibility to stand up against such acts of hatred