June 18, 2024 — New York
American Jewish Committee (AJC) and its three New York-based regional offices today welcomed a joint statement from New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York’s 62 district attorneys acknowledging the alarming jump in antisemitic hate crimes and their commitment to aggressively prosecute those crimes.
“AJC thanks AG James and the state’s district attorneys for their recognition of the growing problem antisemitism poses and for their commitment to prosecute antisemitic hate crimes - in cities, towns and on campuses - to the fullest extent of the law.
New York is home to the largest Jewish community outside of Israel. Since the Hamas massacre on October 7, too many Jews have felt under siege because of a troubling spike in antisemitic threats, harassment, and assaults. Many Jews feel compelled to conceal their Jewish identity in public or alter their behavior because they are scared about what could happen to them. The state’s top prosecutors have sent a strong message: this has to stop. Committing antisemitic hate crimes will have severe consequences.
Like all New Yorkers, Jews should feel safe and protected and not have to live in fear because of who they are.”
AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York, 25 regional offices across the United States, 15 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC’s mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. For more, please visit www.ajc.org.
