New York Police Release Footage of Antisemitic Vandalism as ADL Reports Surge in Antisemitic Incidents

(MENAFN) New York City police have released surveillance footage of two individuals suspected of drawing antisemitic symbols on a Manhattan building in late February. According to reports, the suspects approached a building in the Civic Center and drew three antisemitic symbols on the window with red paint before fleeing the scene. Police have described the suspects as light-complexioned men, with one seen wearing a light-colored hooded sweatshirt, dark-colored pants, and a jacket, and the other wearing glasses and dark-colored clothing.

The incident comes amid a concerning trend of rising antisemitic incidents across the United States. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) recently reported a 36 percent increase in antisemitic incidents nationwide in 2022. The non-profit organization documented 3,697 instances of assault, harassment, or vandalism last year, marking the highest number on record since the group began its annual audit in 1979.

The most recent report, released last week, found that antisemitic incidents have occurred in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., with an increase in each of the major categories the ADL tracks. Antisemitic harassment rose by 29 percent to 2,298 incidents, antisemitic vandalism increased by 51 percent to 1,288 incidents, and antisemitic assaults rose by 26 percent to 111 incidents.

Notably, the report revealed that visibly Orthodox Jews were targeted in over half of all assault incidents nationwide. The ADL has expressed concern about the rise in antisemitic incidents and called for action to combat this troubling trend. The release of the surveillance footage by New York City police is part of these efforts to identify and bring to justice those responsible for such hateful acts.

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