Two men were stabbed yesterday (Thursday) afternoon in the Upper West Side neighborhood of Manhattan, New York, near Central Park West. The event took place near the Orthodox Synagogue “The Jewish Center” on the Tisha B’Av fast. According to police reports, the attacker shouted “Allahu Akbar”.
The first victim, a man aged 50-57, was stabbed in the back with a knife near 84th Street and Central Park West. The second victim, a man aged 50, was stabbed in the chest in Bamberg about two blocks north. At least one of the victims is Jewish and wore a kippah and has a distinctly Jewish appearance. Both were taken to the hospital in stable condition.
The suspect, Raul Morales, 51, fled after the stabbings and barricaded himself in a nearby apartment building. The New York Police Department’s Emergency Response Unit arrested him after a short chase. There are no other suspects and, according to victims and witnesses, he shouted “Allahu Akbar” during both attacks. Police are investigating whether this was an anti-Semitic attack.
The Anti-Defamation League reported that at least one of the victims was of distinctly Jewish appearance. Julie Menin, the speaker of the New York City Council, called the incident an antisemitic attack: “The fear in the Jewish community is real. Every New Yorker deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood, regardless of their faith,” she wrote. New York Governor Kathy Huckle said the attacks appeared to be directed against Jews.
Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon responded sharply, pointing an accusing finger at New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “Zohran Mamdani, your incitement is endangering the lives of Jews in New York, home to the largest Jewish community outside of Israel,” Danon wrote. “For months you have been stoking hatred, demonizing Israel, and inciting hostility toward Jews. Take responsibility for the results. Every time you add fuel to this fire, you make violence more likely. Stop the incitement. Before more people are hurt.”