NYPD rapidly deploys additional forces to Jewish institutions after two Israeli Embassy staffers were assassinated by a pro-Palestinian gunman in Washington, D.C., marking a dangerous escalation of antisemitic violence on American soil.
Key Takeaways
- New York City has deployed counter-terrorism officers, heavy weapons teams, and increased patrols around synagogues and Jewish cultural centers despite no direct threat to NYC.
- The Washington D.C. shooter, Elias Rodriguez, reportedly shouted “Free, free Palestine!” upon arrest after killing Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim outside the Capital Jewish Museum.
- Antisemitic incidents in New York rose by 18% in 2024, with Jewish-targeted hate crimes still constituting 56% of all hate crimes in the city despite a recent 6% decrease.
- Mayor Eric Adams forcefully condemned the attack as a “depraved act of terrorism” while criticizing the rhetoric of anti-Israel protesters in New York.
- NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the first Jewish person to hold the position, expressed personal anguish over the targeted killings.
Targeted Attack Triggers Security Response
The New York Police Department has significantly enhanced security measures around Jewish institutions following the assassination of two Israeli Embassy employees in Washington, D.C. The victims, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, were gunned down outside the Capital Jewish Museum in what officials are treating as an antisemitic attack. Within hours of the shooting, NYPD deployed counter-terrorism officers, heavy weapons teams, and additional patrols to synagogues and Jewish cultural centers throughout the five boroughs.
“While there is no known nexus to NYC, in response to last night’s horrific attack in D.C. targeting Jews and Israelis, the NYPD is increasing its presence at religious sites and cultural institutions with high visibility patrols, heavy weapons teams and counterterrorism officers,” the NYPD stated in an official announcement.
The suspected shooter, Elias Rodriguez, reportedly shouted “Free, free Palestine!” upon his arrest. This declaration has heightened concerns that the attack was motivated by anti-Israel sentiment, fueled by ongoing tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict. Security measures have also been intensified at Israeli diplomatic facilities across New York City, with the NYPD’s Joint Operations Center actively monitoring live feeds and social media for potential threats.
Mayor Adams Condemns Violence and Anti-Israel Protests
Mayor Eric Adams addressed the killings in forceful terms, linking the violence to the broader problem of antisemitism in America. Adams specifically criticized anti-Israel demonstrations that have occurred across New York City since the October 7th Hamas attacks on Israel. The mayor drew a direct connection between inflammatory rhetoric at these protests and the violence in Washington, D.C., refusing to separate anti-Israel sentiment from antisemitism.
“Let’s call this what it is: a depraved act of terrorism,” Mayor Eric Adams declared.
Adams specifically addressed protesters who claim their demonstrations target Israeli policy rather than Jewish people. “We have heard so many people claim these protests aren’t antisemitic, they’re just anti-Israel. We cannot color-code hatred,” Adams stated, rejecting attempts to distinguish between the two. His comments reflect growing concern among law enforcement and Jewish community leaders about the increasing normalization of antisemitic rhetoric disguised as political criticism.
Rising Antisemitism in New York City
The Washington D.C. shooting comes amid alarming statistics about antisemitism in New York. According to the Anti-Defamation League, antisemitic incidents in New York rose by 18% in 2024. While the NYPD reported a 6% decrease in hate crimes against the Jewish community in recent months, these incidents still constitute 56% of all hate crimes in the city. The numbers paint a disturbing picture of Jewish New Yorkers being disproportionately targeted for their identity.
“This was a devastating attack, and the community is deeply upset, sad, obviously for the losses, and also, once again, alarmed. Antisemitism has been rising for a long time, even before Oct. 7, but certainly since,” said Rabbi Joshua Davidson of Temple Emanu-El.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the first Jewish person to hold the position, expressed personal anguish over the shootings. “Generally, as a person of faith, I have a hard time understanding how someone could have so much hate in their heart to attack someone based on their religion, the color of their skin, or who they love. So I join the majority of New Yorkers being horrified by what’s happened here,” Tisch said. The NYPD is collaborating with the FBI on the investigation into the Washington D.C. attack.
Community Response and Resilience
Josh Kramer of the American Jewish Committee directly connected the Washington D.C. shootings to the rhetoric of campus protesters and anti-Israel groups. “This is what ‘Globalize the Intifada’ looks like,” Kramer stated, referring to a common chant at pro-Palestinian demonstrations. “We cannot separate the violence from the dangerous rhetoric that fuels hate and conspiracies against Jews.”
Despite the heightened fears, Jewish community leaders are emphasizing resilience. Rabbi Arthur Schneier, a Holocaust survivor, urged community members not to succumb to fear. “Fear is not the answer,” Schneier declared, drawing on historical parallels of Jewish survival in the face of persecution. Meanwhile, religious leaders from other faiths, including Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Reverend Al Sharpton, have expressed solidarity with the Jewish community, calling for unity against all forms of hatred and violence.
The increased security measures around New York’s Jewish institutions are expected to remain in place indefinitely as authorities monitor the situation and assess potential threats. For many in New York’s Jewish community, the Washington D.C. attack has painfully confirmed their fears about the real-world consequences of unchecked antisemitism in American society.
