Brooklyn, New York — A local woman is facing emotional and physical distress after being attacked by a large group of men who mistakenly believed she was protesting against Israel’s far-right security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir. The incident occurred Thursday evening near the Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters, a site that has historically been a flashpoint for community tensions.
The woman, who requested anonymity due to safety concerns, described the terrifying experience, stating that she approached the scene after hearing police helicopters. When she covered her face with a scarf to avoid being filmed, a crowd of around 100 men quickly surrounded her. “As soon as I pulled up my scarf, they came at me, shouting threats and vile chants,” she recalled.
Feeling trapped, she turned to a police officer for help, only to have the angry mob follow them, continuing to chant menacing slogans. Video footage from the scene captured some individuals kicking her and throwing objects, including a traffic cone. In a moment of sheer fear, she thought, “I couldn’t lead this mob to my home. I had nowhere to go.”
After enduring several blocks of harassment, the officer managed to place her in a squad car, triggering applause from the crowd as she was driven away. Despite escaping the immediate danger, she was left shaken and bruised, urging authorities to view the assault as a hate crime. “I’ve lived in this neighborhood for a decade, and now I’m scared to walk around,” she said.
In the aftermath, a police spokesperson confirmed one arrest and five summonses were issued, though details regarding charges related to the attack on the woman remain unclear. Mayor Eric Adams stated that the event would be investigated, noting that tensions escalated when anti-Israel demonstrators surrounded the Chabad facility. He condemned the violence as unacceptable, stating, “New York City will always be a place for peaceful protest, but we will not tolerate violence or threats.”
The unrest was sparked by Ben-Gvir’s visit, which ignited protests from various groups opposing his ultranationalist ideology. Prior controversies surrounding him include past convictions for incitement and support for militant actions, raising significant concerns among community leaders.
Following the incidents, Rabbi Motti Seligson of Chabad-Lubavitch condemned both the protesters and the mob violence, calling the actions a disgraceful attempt to intimidate and provoke fear in the community. He emphasized that such behavior contradicts the principles of their faith and points out the ongoing issues surrounding antisemitism in the area.
The Crown Heights neighborhood has a fraught history, marked notably by the 1991 Crown Heights riots that underscored ethnic and racial tensions in the community. The recent events reflect ongoing struggles and challenges in maintaining peace and understanding among diverse groups in this historic area.
As Brooklyn attempts to navigate these complex dynamics, the call for dialogue and mutual respect has never been more critical. The aftermath of this incident serves as a stark reminder of the enduring challenges communities face in the fight against hate and for tolerance.