By: Maxwell Schuss
As members of the Tribeca Synagogue gathered inside to mourn, worship and pray, outside stood the New York Police Department. Armed in tactical gear and large weaponry, officers patrolled on high alert in wake of the recent terrorist attacks on Israel. Hamas’ call for a “day of rage” last Friday provoked heightened security around synagogues, schools, museums, and other Jewish institutions across New York City.
Jake Bernstein, 21, is an Ashkenazi Jewish Manhattan resident who visited the Museum of Jewish Heritage to pay his respects after the terrorist attacks. “Seeing these images of Israeli people suffering and the explosions, it breaks my heart,” he said. “I haven’t been to the museum in a long time and this feels like the right time to come back, learn, and pay my respects.” Outside of the entrance to the museum parked two NYPD squad cars, with officers standing by and staying vigilant. While law enforcement officials have stated there were no credible threats made against the United States, officers and counterterrorism units were deployed as a preventative measure for any violence driven by Hamas’ attacks and their anti-Jewish rhetoric.
So far, New York City has not experienced any serious threat against a Jewish institution, but people are still fearful.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams spoke to reporters last Thursday where he showed his support for Israel. “Your fight is our fight. This is the place that our voices must raise and cascade throughout the entire country. We will not be right until every person responsible for this act is held accountable,” he said. Adams also reaffirmed that there were no credible threats made against the city or any particular Jewish site. Both he and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul mentioned the large police presence at Israeli and Palestinian protests and confirmed that the NYPD would send additional units to synagogues throughout the city.
“We want to reiterate to New Yorkers: There’s no reason to feel afraid. No one should feel they have to alter their normal lives or their routines; and indeed, when we change our behavior without a serious credible threat, then we’re letting the terrorists win,” said Hochul. “I want all New Yorkers to feel confident going to a synagogue, going to school, walking in the streets of New York and throughout our state.” NYC has remained a major potential target for terrorism since the September 11th attacks and the city’s police department isn’t taking any chances.
Photo credit: New York Daily News
FBI Director Christopher Wray delivered a message to the American Jewish community at a security briefing last Thursday, stating that “We cannot and do not discount the possibility that Hamas or another foreign terrorist organization could exploit the conflict to call on their supporters to conduct attacks here on our own soil.” As Israeli and Palestinian protests continue to take place across the city, the tension has caused more antisemitic and Islamophobic sentiment to come to light.
“It’s good to see the police and the city take this situation very seriously,” said Bernstein. “It definitely makes me feel a lot safer seeing the officers outside, because in times like these you really never know what could happen.” It is procedure for the NYPD’s Counterterrorism and Intelligence Division to mobilize when events like Hamas’ attack take place. According to the New York City Police Department, if an event from around the world could possibly threaten or affect the city, the NYPD always increases their presence around houses of worship, schools, and other particular areas where a conflict could arise.
“I wish they didn’t have to be here but the hate for Jews is everywhere,” said Bernstein. “I see it on social media, you can see it on the streets as well. All it takes is one person to do something horrible and then it’s more lives lost.” New York City has the largest Jewish population in the world outside of Israel and the NYPD is committed to providing safety for the community.