A Brooklyn resident found himself in custody this week following a heated confrontation on the Upper East Side, as he attempted to forcefully remove posters raising awareness about Israeli hostages. The incident, captured on video, is the latest in a series of alarming events that have drawn condemnation for their anti-Semitic nature and blatant disregard for human dignity.
On Tuesday evening, the individual, identified as Mohamed Khalil, reached for one of the flyers only to be confronted by a group determined to protect the display located at the intersection of 68th Street and Lexington Avenue. A heated verbal exchange ensued, culminating in Khalil’s apprehension by the authorities.
This altercation underscores the extent to which the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has infiltrated local discourse, leading to tense situations on the streets of New York City. Jewish community leaders have been unequivocal in their denunciation of such acts, highlighting them as blatant examples of anti-Semitism.
The posters in question bear the faces of over 200 hostages, many of them children, and have become a point of contention since Hamas’ unexpected attacks on October 7. The reprehensible act of vandalizing these displays of awareness and solidarity began shortly thereafter, with remnants of torn flyers and defaced posters becoming a common sight.
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Executive Vice President of the New York Board of Rabbis, expressed his dismay at the situation: “This is a profound expression of anti-Semitism and a grave violation of our shared humanity. The hatred displayed is incomprehensible.”
Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx), representing a constituency with a significant Jewish population, echoed these sentiments, labeling the perpetrators as individuals with a deep-seated animosity towards the Jewish community.
Mayor Eric Adams also weighed in, condemning the poster vandalism as “misguided” and reiterating his stance against hate. He emphasized the importance of standing in solidarity with both the innocent hostages and the New Yorkers grappling with the repercussions of the violence.
The individuals targeting these posters have been identified in some instances as pro-Palestinian activists, including college students actively participating in anti-Israel demonstrations. One law student from New York University, Ryna Workman, was recently caught on camera interfering with the hostage awareness posters.
Nitzan Mintz, one of the artists behind the awareness campaign, expressed her frustration at the ongoing disputes over the flyers. She refuted claims of propaganda, emphasizing the non-political nature of the campaign and its focus on humanizing the hostages.
The episode is part of a larger trend of hostility towards these displays, involving various individuals across the city. Despite these challenges, the message from community leaders and officials remains clear: hate has no place in New York City, and solidarity with the hostages is paramount.