A Jewish man was assaulted during a pro-Palestinian protest in New York City on May 20. The victim has been identified as Joseph Borgin, 29, who was hospitalized for minor injuries. Video of the assault circulated on social media. Waseem Awawdeh, 23, was arrested and charged in connection the attack.
This Jewish man was attacked today in New York City.
Tell me anti Zionism is not antisemitism. I dare you. pic.twitter.com/vzZHSzh93o— United With Israel (@UniteWithIsrael) May 21, 2021
One of the Jewish victims of tonight's violent assault in NYC by Palestinian supporters.
We don't want condemnations.
We want to see whomever did this ARRESTED and PUT IN PRISON so no other Jewish New Yorker will be subjected to this Nazi like behavior. @NYPDHateCrimes pic.twitter.com/wnv0118zpD
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) May 21, 2021
During last night’s demonstration in Midtown Manhattan, 23-year-old Waseem Awawdeh was arrested for using a crutch to assault a man in front of 1604 Broadway. He’s been charged with hate crime assault 2, gang assault 2, menacing, and criminal possession of a weapon. pic.twitter.com/48ydYMfGSi
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) May 21, 2021
Borgin told Fox 5 that the protesters were punching and kicking him as well as using their flag poles and crutches to attack him. “The hate the people who attacked me in their eyes was just amazing to me. To pepper spray and mace someone on the ground for a like minute or two after the fact, who even comes up with something like that? It’s so inhumane.”
Borgin’s father, Barry, told The Daily Caller that Borgin “was going to a pro-Israel rally and wearing his yarmulke and he got ambushed, they climbed out of a van and basically pounded him into the street.” He added that “it’s open season on Jews.”
Also during the May 19 demonstration, two fireworks were thrown from a vehicle, causing a woman to sustain minor burns, according to Jewish Telegraphic Agency. The matter is being investigated as a possible hate crime.
Video: Moments earlier, a device went off in what is said to be in the #DiamondDistrict in NYC: pic.twitter.com/qefPUCzaWr
— Yossi Gestetner (@YossiGestetner) May 20, 2021
During the same demonstration in Midtown Manhattan, a woman was injured when professional grade fireworks were thrown toward bystanders on 47th Street. This incident is also being investigated by @NYPDHateCrimes. Anyone with info is asked to call @NYPDTips at #800577TIPS. pic.twitter.com/Z1DdkU4U2Q
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) May 21, 2021
Other videos circulating on social media showed pro-Palestinian demonstrators shouting “F— you Zionists” and harassing Jews on the streets and sitting in restaurants.
BREAKING in the #DiamondDistrict:
(I don’t know the source of the video) pic.twitter.com/hl4Kihgjop
— Yossi Gestetner (@YossiGestetner) May 20, 2021
Is this the new normal in NYC? @NYCMayor pic.twitter.com/MvHCj50Kvp
— Dov Hikind (@HikindDov) May 21, 2021
The attacks on Jews continue.
Pro-Palestinian protestors throw a bottle and spit on Jews eating in New York.#EndJewHate #Antisemitism
— Ari Ingel (@OGAride) May 21, 2021
Jewish groups condemned what took place during the demonstration.
“This level of vitriol and hatred is outrageous and it must stop now,” Anti-Defamation League New York / New Jersey Regional Director Scott Richman said in a statement. “Scapegoating, blaming, and harming Jewish people on the streets of New York City for the current crisis in Israel does nothing but increase division, stoke hatred, and create fear. The increase in antisemitic incidents we have seen in the past week has been truly disturbing. This violence solves nothing and it must end now. We thank the [New York Police Department] for investigating these incidents.”
The American Jewish Committee tweeted, “We are horrified by reports that Jews were attacked with firebombs on the streets of New York by pro-Palestinian activists. There can be zero tolerance for antisemitism in [New York City].”
We are horrified by reports that Jews were attacked with firebombs on the streets of New York by pro-Palestinian activists.
There can be zero tolerance for antisemitism in NYC.
We trust @NYPDnews will apprehend the attackers and bring them to justice.https://t.co/MFn3buL2ay
— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) May 21, 2021
Stop Antisemitism also tweeted, “We’re disgusted this is what one of the greatest cities in the world has turned into under the leaderships of @NYCMayor @NYGovCuomo.”
Jews being attacked with firebombs on the streets of NYC by pro Palestinian supporters.
We’re disgusted this is what one of the greatest cities in the world has turned into under the leaderships of @NYCMayor @NYGovCuomo https://t.co/DZ05Rt2Ob0
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) May 20, 2021
Evan R. Bernstein, CEO and national director of Community Security Service, said in a statement, “The scope and imagery of anti-Jewish animus that has flooded our social media feeds as our friends and family in Israel were forced to either stay in or run to bomb shelters during the past week — not only in cities across the U.S. but across the globe — sends a clear and stark message to Jewish communal leadership: Security for our institutions must be prioritized.”
He added that the recent antisemitic incidents “shows that we have much work to do in ensuring our safety. We need more eyes and ears on the ground and call on the affiliated and unaffiliated to help fulfil our critical mission to protect our community. The latest data on antisemitism and hate crimes against the Jewish community warrants a worldview shift on security.”
New York politicians also denounced the incidents. “I unequivocally condemn these brutal attacks on visibly Jewish New Yorkers and we will not tolerate anti-Semitic violent gang harassment and intimidation,” Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, said in a statement. He added that “those of all faiths, backgrounds and ethnicities must be able to walk the streets safely and free from harassment and violence” and that the New York State Police Hate Crimes will help investigate the attacks.
I unequivocally condemn these brutal attacks on visibly Jewish New Yorkers.
NY is home to people from all faiths & backgrounds—everyone must be able to walk the streets safely.
I am directing the @nyspolice Hate Crimes Task Force to offer their assistance in the investigation. pic.twitter.com/WQJp7pTYHC
— Archive: Governor Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) May 21, 2021
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio similarly tweeted, “The anti-Semitism were seeing across our country isn’t in isolation and isn’t just a few incidents. It’s part of a horrible and consistent pattern. History teaches us we ignore that pattern at our own peril. We have to stand up to it. We have to call it out.”
Representative Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) tweeted, “I am appalled by the outbreak of antisemitic vitriol and violence. The incitement of hate puts lives at risk. The time has come to lower the political temperature.”
I am appalled by the outbreak of antisemitic vitriol and violence. The incitement of hate puts lives at risk. The time has come to lower the political temperature. https://t.co/6AUzn9U7AG
— Rep. Ritchie Torres (@RepRitchie) May 21, 2021
Representative Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) also tweeted, “Antisemitism needs to be singularly & unequivocally ID’ed, confronted, & eradicated. The horrifying scene in NYC, where Hamas sympathizers resort to violence, burn Israeli flags, display blatant antisemitism & throw fireworks into crowds, isn’t an isolated incident.”
Antisemitism needs to be singularly & unequivocally ID’ed, confronted, & eradicated. The horrifying scene in NYC, where Hamas sympathizers resort to violence, burn Israeli flags, display blatant antisemitism & throw fireworks into crowds, isn’t an isolated incident. https://t.co/IENFpp9h3a
— Lee Zeldin (@LeeMZeldin) May 21, 2021
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