In a recent rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump voiced his concerns about the rising antisemitism in the United States, stating that it is the "most dangerous time since the Holocaust" for Jewish people in the country.
Trump, who was addressing a large crowd at the Mohegan Sun Arena, also made a controversial claim about Vice President Kamala Harris' decision to not select Penn. Gov. Josh Shapiro as her running mate.
According to Trump, Shapiro was not chosen because of his Jewish faith. "They turned him down because hes Jewish, Trump alleged, adding that "any Jewish person that votes for [Harris] or a Democrat has to go out and have their head examined. He further emphasized the perilous situation for Jewish people in America, stating, Whats happening with Israel and Jewish people, there has never been a more dangerous time since the Holocaust if you happen to be Jewish in America.
As reported by The New York Post, Shapiro has refuted these allegations, asserting that his faith had no bearing on Harris' decision. He cited Harris' choice of Minn. Gov. Tim Walz as evidence that "antisemitism had no impact" on the selection process.
The backdrop to these remarks is a disturbing rise in antisemitic hate crimes across the nation. This surge coincides with the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, which began with a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, resulting in the death of approximately 1,200 Israelis and a protracted war now in its tenth month.
New York City, in particular, has witnessed a sharp increase in antisemitic incidents. The NYPDs Hate Crime Task Force is currently investigating 30 anti-Jewish offenses that occurred in July alone. This follows 45 incidents of crime targeting Jewish people in June. In total, 229 anti-Semitic hate crimes have been reported to the NYPD through August 4, a significant increase from the 126 incidents reported during the same period last year.
One recent incident involved a 70-year-old man who was assaulted in Central Park by a man hurling antisemitic slurs. The attacker, who was riding a Citi Bike, threatened to kill the elderly man before physically assaulting him.
The conflict in Gaza has also sparked widespread protests across the country, particularly on college campuses, leading to hundreds of arrests. In New York City, anti-Israel protesters have disrupted the citys main transit hubs on a near-weekly basis.
Michelle Ahdoot, Director of Communications for End Jew Hatred, expressed her concerns about the escalating situation. She stated that the single most significant hatred we see in New York City since Oct. 7th is overwhelmingly Jew-hatred." She further revealed that radical Hamas supporters, some even waving the Hamas flag, have been seen marching in city streets, calling for the genocide of Jews. "We do not feel safe, she added.
This alarming rise in antisemitic hate crimes underscores the need for a robust response from law enforcement and a renewed commitment to protecting the rights and safety of all citizens, regardless of their faith or ethnicity.
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