Friday, April 05, 2024
New York police report 43 antisemitic incidents in March, reversing downward trend
New York Jewish Week via JTA — Antisemitic crimes in New York City spiked in March, reversing a month-by-month decline in the number of anti-Jewish incidents recorded by the NYPD.
There were 43 antisemitic incidents in the five boroughs reported to police last month, more than double the 17 reported in February. Anti-Jewish crimes spiked after Hamas's devastating October 7 onslaught, with 69 incidents in October and 62 in November.
The rate declined after that, with 31 incidents in both December and January and 17 last month. March's tally was the highest so far this year.
New York, on January 12, 2024. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images/AFP)
New York Jewish Week via JTA — Antisemitic crimes in New York City spiked in March, reversing a month-by-month decline in the number of anti-Jewish incidents recorded by the NYPD.
There were 43 antisemitic incidents in the five boroughs reported to police last month, more than double the 17 reported in February. Anti-Jewish crimes spiked after Hamas's devastating October 7 onslaught, with 69 incidents in October and 62 in November.
The rate declined after that, with 31 incidents in both December and January and 17 last month. March's tally was the highest so far this year.
The reason for the spike wasn't immediately clear, but the number of antisemitic hate crimes has fluctuated unpredictably in the past. In January 2022, for example, there were 15 antisemitic crimes reported to police, then in February there were 56, and in March, 23.
The pattern of anti-Israel protests in the city may also play a role, according to the Community Security Initiative, which coordinates security for Jewish institutions in the area. CSI believes protesters are increasingly targeting Jews and Jewish institutions. This could elevate more commonplace crimes into potential hate crimes, said Mitch Silber, the initiative's director.
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