A disturbing antisemitic attack took place in Manhattan, New York City, where 72-year-old Amnon Shemi was assaulted while putting up posters of Israeli hostages currently held in Gaza. The incident occurred near the intersection of Lexington Avenue and East 68th Street, close to Shemi’s home.
According to police reports and eyewitnesses, a group of young individuals approached Shemi, shouting “Free Palestine.” One of them physically assaulted him by striking him in the face. The NYPD confirmed that the incident is being investigated as a possible hate crime.
Shemi, who has been posting flyers about the hostages since the start of the war in October 2023, expressed that he was surprised something like this hadn’t happened earlier. He linked the rise in hostility to increasing tensions related to the Gaza conflict.
Data from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) shows that antisemitic incidents in New York surged by 110% in 2023 compared to the previous year, reaching an all-time high of 1,218 cases, including harassment and vandalism.
Despite the attack, Shemi remains committed to his efforts. “I will continue until all the hostages are back home,” he said.
