STATEN ISLAND, NY — More than a dozen people representing various organizations, interfaith communities and law enforcement gathered to speak out against antisemitism at a press conference at the Jewish Community Center in Sea View on Wednesday.
Borough President Vito Fossella, the event host, said that the idea for uniting against antisemitism originated in the wake of the increased attacks against Jewish people nationwide.
“What we are seeing now is antisemitic attacks that are not just verbal or rooted in true hate but result in murder and the killing of innocent people exclusively and solely because they are Jewish‚“ Fossella said. “They do so, these animals, because of their warped concept or view of their own little world. What we want to say today is that antisemitic attacks, including assault and murder of Jews, are being cloaked as forms of activism or social justice, falsely legitimizing hate under the guise of progressive causes.”
Fossella highlighted national incidents of antisemitic crime, including the murders of Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, outside an event for the American Jewish Committee in Washington, DC, and the attack of Amnon Shemi, who was targeted while hanging up posters of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas in Manhattan.
Standing united against antisemitism in Staten Island
“Here on Staten Island, we are saying provoke somebody for just being Jewish, and you attack somebody for just being Jewish, you will be prosecuted and you will go to jail,” Fossella said. “We are here standing united with one voice, the people of Staten Island of all religions, of all faiths, wherever we come from, when we come to Staten Island, we are united in peace, and we treat people with respect.”
District Attorney Michael E. McMahon discussed the harsh ramifications of taking part in antisemitism on the borough.
“We come together Jew, Christian, Muslim and Hindu to say with one strong voice that there is no place for hate in our world because of someone’s faith, religion, creed or national origin,” McMahon said. “As the borough president said, if you commit an act of hate here on Staten Island you will be prosecuted and you will be held accountable.”
McMahon went on to highlight a three-and-a-half-year sentence that his office was able to secure against a person who assaulted a Staten Islander with a baseball bat because of their Jewish identity.
Inspector Matthew Harrington, representing the New York City Police Department on behalf of Assistant Chief Melissa Eger, the borough commander, spoke about the steps law enforcement is taking to make sure that all Islanders are in good hands. He also emphasized the NYPD’s commitment to protect the Jewish communities it serves.
“Since the recent tragic events in Colorado and DC we have been in constant communication with state and local counterparts,” Harrington said. “The sad reality is that after the events of October 7, 2023, New York City must always be on guard for these potential attacks.”
Leaders from Jewish synagogues, Hindu temples, Catholic churches and Muslim mosques spoke at the event, discussing the importance of unity and sharing insights from their respective backgrounds.
Imam Tahir Kukaj of the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center in Tompkinsville emphasized his support for Jewish residents.
“I am here for the right reason, I stand against hate, regardless of who does it,” Kukaj said. “I firmly believe that this group here would stand with me if the victims were Islamic.”
To accept or participate in hate, Kukaj emphasized, is akin to swallowing a poison that spreads throughout one’s body.
Lori Weintrob, a professor who has been instrumental in running the Wagner College Holocaust Center, discussed what makes hate escalate and the ways we can challenge that narrative.
“When Jews are killed on American soil because of their identity or heritage or when anyone is harmed we must respond with outrage and moral courage,” Weintrob said. “We need courage and empathy now especially from those outside the Jewish community. Courage says that Jews count even when we disagree about political issues.”