Hasidic man reportedly asked if he is Jewish before being stabbed in violent Brooklyn attack

A Hasidic man was reportedly asked if he is Jewish before being stabbed in a violent Brooklyn attack.

The victim, a Chabad Hasid dressed in religious garb visiting from Israel, was walking through the heavily-Jewish neighbourhood of Crown Heights in New York City on Shabbat morning at 02:00, when, according to a police report, he was approached by two men who asked if he was Jewish.

The two men then allegedly stabbed the victim in the arm with a screwdriver, leaving him with a small puncture wound. He returned home and called medics who took him to hospital, where his condition was described as stable, and he was later released.

Yaacov Behrman, a representative of Chabad Lubavitch Headquarters in Crown Heights, said: “On Friday night, around 2am, a visiting student from Israel was stabbed in the arm with what appears to be a screwdriver. The victim informed me that he was briefly hospitalised. The attack was carried out by two males.” He added that the attack “is currently being investigated as a hate crime. According to the victim, he was questioned about his Jewish identity. Despite being visibly traumatised, the victim expressed gratitude for not having sustained more severe injuries. This incident is deeply concerning, and we have full confidence in the NYPD’s ability to conduct a thorough investigation and apprehend the perpetrators.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism reports on news and incidents relating to antisemitism throughout the United States.