Antisemitism in New York continues to intensify: More than half of all hate crimes recorded in the city since the beginning of the year targeted Jews—even though they comprise only about 10% of the city’s population, according to new figures released yesterday (Monday) by the NYPD showing a 9.4% increase in hate crimes compared to the same period last year.
NYPD figures show that 360 hate crimes have been registered in the city since the start of the year, compared to 329 during the same period last year. More than half of them—205 cases, or 56.9%—were classified as antisemitic offenses. The surge in hate crimes is particularly striking given the simultaneous decline across all seven major crime categories in the city, including murder, shootings, robbery, burglary, grand larceny, and felony assault.
The figures were published against a backdrop of growing criticism from Jewish leaders and organizations toward Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who they argue is failing to act with sufficient resolve against antisemitism. Critics point to his public statements on Israel, including accusing it of committing “genocide” during the war against Hamas, calling for the arrest of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and refusing to condemn the chant “globalize the intifada.”
“The public is influenced by the mayor’s messaging. He creates fear within the Jewish community,” testified Dov Hikind, founder of Americans Against Antisemitism and former New York State Assemblyman.
Conversely, Mamdani rejected the criticism, stating that “there is no room for intolerance in New York.” He noted that the city administration increased the budget for the Mayor’s Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes by 800%, adding $26 million to its funding.