NYC Jew-hate Rises as Leaders Fail to Condemn It

Antisemitic incidents and attacks continue unchecked as politicians refuse to speak out against the growing tide of hate.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 6:57pm

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A moody, cinematic painting depicting a lone Jewish person walking down a deserted New York City street at night, the buildings casting long shadows and the sky a deep blue, capturing a sense of unease and isolation in the face of rising hate.As antisemitism spreads through New York City, the Jewish community faces growing fear and isolation on the streets.NYC Today

A series of high-profile antisemitic incidents in New York City, including an abusive tirade against Israeli tourists, the torching of NYPD vehicles by an 'anti-Israel activist', and a foiled bombing plot targeting pro-Israel demonstrators, have raised concerns that Jew-hatred is on the rise in the city. However, the mayor and other progressive politicians have been accused of enabling this hate by failing to forcefully condemn it.

Why it matters

Antisemitism has a long and tragic history of leading to violence, discrimination, and the targeting of Jewish communities. If left unchecked, the growing tide of Jew-hatred in New York could embolden extremists and lead to further attacks, harming not just the Jewish population but the city as a whole.

The details

The latest incident involved a nurse, Jennifer Koonings, who launched an antisemitic tirade against a group of Israeli tourists in Times Square, accusing them of 'slaughtering children' and telling them 'we don't want you here, terrorists'. This reflects a broader trend of the political left morally inverting the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and seeing Israel as the aggressor. Jakhi McCray, an 'anti-Israel activist', also admitted to torching 11 NYPD vehicles last June, while Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayuni were arrested for attempting to bomb pro-Israel demonstrators. The mayor has been accused of obscuring the Islamist politics behind some of these incidents and creating 'fake excuses' for the perpetrators.

  • In June 2023, Jakhi McCray torched 11 NYPD vehicles.
  • In 2023, Mayor Mamdani made comments linking the NYPD to the IDF.
  • In April 2026, Jennifer Koonings launched an antisemitic tirade against Israeli tourists in Times Square.

The players

Jennifer Koonings

A nurse who launched an antisemitic tirade against a group of Israeli tourists in Times Square, accusing them of 'slaughtering children' and telling them 'we don't want you here, terrorists'.

Jakhi McCray

An 'anti-Israel activist' who admitted to torching 11 NYPD vehicles in June 2023.

Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayuni

Two individuals arrested for attempting to bomb pro-Israel demonstrators in front of Gracie Mansion.

Mayor Mamdani

The mayor of New York City, who has been accused of enabling antisemitism by failing to forcefully condemn it and creating 'fake excuses' for perpetrators.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib and AOC

Progressive politicians who have been accused of enabling the rise of Jew-hatred in New York City.

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What they’re saying

“We have to make clear that when the boot of the NYPD is on your neck, it's been laced by the IDF”

— Mayor Mamdani

What’s next

The judge in the case against Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayuni will decide on Tuesday whether to allow them to be released on bail.

The takeaway

The growing tide of Jew-hatred in New York City, enabled by the failure of political leaders to forcefully condemn it, poses a serious threat to the city's Jewish community and the broader public. Unless Mayor Mamdani, Rep. Tlaib, AOC, and other progressive politicians speak out to stop the spread of antisemitism, the terror is likely to continue escalating.