New York Governor Kathy Hochul will add 10 more federal investigators to the FBI’s counterterrorism task force in New York to combat the staggering 214 percent increase in anti-Semitism since the October 7 Hamas terror attacks.
Hochul announced Monday that an additional $2.5 million will be provided to the New York State Police to increase the staffing of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF).
Eight investigators will be located in the JTTF New York City office and one investigator will be located in the Albany and Rochester offices. The governor’s office said about 30 state law enforcement officers worked with the task force before the additional investigators were added, the New York Daily News reported.
The move is the governor’s latest attempt to address a rise in anti-Semitic and Islamophobic incidents. Hochul said an emergency meeting was held with Jewish leaders and law enforcement to discuss strategies.
“It is painful for me as the governor of this great state, known for its diversity and the way we celebrate different cultures, different religions and different viewpoints.
“It is painful to see the cruelty with which New Yorkers treat each other everywhere, from college campuses to our streets and schools to playgrounds, even when they enter their houses of worship,” she said.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Monday the deployment of 10 additional investigators to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Take Force to combat the staggering rise in anti-Semitism
Earlier this month, a black swastika was painted on the door and picnic tables at Naturally Good Food & Café in Montauk
The anti-Semitic symbol was spray-painted on the picnic table at the Montauk cafe and the words “Jews are dying” were spray-painted in German on a nearby fence
The governor spoke about recent incidents, including the mob of hundreds that stormed Grand Central Terminal on Friday and called for a ceasefire in Gaza, resulting in more than 300 arrests.
As the busiest travel day of the year, Thanksgiving, approaches, the governor said law enforcement will be present to ensure commuters can “go about their lives freely and without disruption.”
“The day Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 and the rise in hate crimes began immediately.” “I immediately deployed state police to be on high alert and protect assets at risk,” the governor said.
These assets at risk also include the city’s synagogues, yeshivas and mosques, as well as any other places that could be vulnerable to hate crimes or violence.
The governor’s office said it is also in contact with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to share information about potential threats.
During her address, she announced a significant increase in funding for her efforts, totaling $75 million – $50 million going to local law enforcement and $25 million to security grants.
She expressed her gratitude to state and local law enforcement agencies who are protecting civilians during this unprecedented time.
“The state police were out there and were integrated into local law enforcement. ‘I saw it with my own eyes.’
She continued, “I go to different places of worship and whether it’s here in New York City, it happens and I’m grateful for their efforts.”
The governor also spoke about efforts to collect data from surveillance and social media to counter the negativity and hate speech spread on online platforms.
The Naturally Good Food and Café in Montauk was vandalized earlier this month with swastikas, the symbol of hatred against Jews. Owner Jane Freeman posted about the hate crime
As the governor spoke about her initiatives and expressed support, many witnessed firsthand the anti-Semitism and hatred that has plagued some businesses, schools and communities on Long Island and New York City.
In August, Nassau County police said swastikas were spray-painted on the playground at Chatterton Elementary School in Merrick. According to News 12, two teenagers were arrested and are now facing charges.
Last month, a group of Jewish students at Cooper Union were forced to barricade themselves in the campus library while pro-Hamas protesters tried to bang on the door and shout at them.
The incident occurred during a pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian event that took place at the same time. Other demonstrations took place at New York University and Columbia, where many protested against the boycott of Israel and called for a ceasefire in Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, The Times of Israel reported.
At Cornell University, a 21-year-old Cornell student was charged with threatening to shoot up the grounds of his school’s Center for Jewish Living.
In Montauk, Naturally Good Food and Café had swastikas, the symbol of hatred against Jews, spray-painted on the restaurant’s door and picnic tables.
There were also the words “Jews are dying” in German scrawled on a fence, and some of the swastikas were scattered on food trucks. At a popular Montauk surfing spot, Ditch Plains Beach, the words “Free Palestine” were written next to it, the news outlet reported.
Police are continuing to investigate the hate crimes.
Rabbi Josh Franklin of the Jewish Center of the Hamptons wrote on Facebook. “I spent the morning in Montauk cleaning up the graffiti on a store in Montauk that was owned by Jews,” he said.
He added: “It feels like I’m living Crystal Night in 2023.”
Owner Jane Hegelman Freeman shared her despair on Instagram.
“Of course that’s good in Montauk.” “The end,” as we say. Our home. The shop of our dear friends. A small town in the USA. People live here to fish, surf and feel safe. I think I knew this before, but it’s confirmed: hate, ignorance and anti-Semitism are alive and well at The End. WTF America? @naturallygoodmtk.’
During the address, the governor spoke about those who live in fear and sought to reassure them that they have a right to feel safe and protected.
She said, among other things: “No one walking on the street or in the subway should feel like they have to hide their religious beliefs.”
A hotline has been set up for people to report hate and bias incidents as the governor warned: “If they have crossed the line from hate speech to a hate crime, it will be prosecuted.”
She also addressed the troubling prevalence of anti-Semitism on college campuses, particularly in the Jewish community, and college students being targeted.
“I’ve never seen anything like this in my life,” she said in part, referencing what she saw at Cornell. She added that the perpetrator was now behind bars.
“We will ensure that all perpetrators of these crimes, using the threat of inciting violence and encouraging others to kill other perpetrators of Jewish students, are arrested and prosecuted.”
She added, “These are young people who are at risk.” They should not live in fear here in New York City.
Reflecting on the staggering 214 percent increase in anti-Semitism, Hochul said, “We have not seen this level of hate crime and fear since September 12, 2001.”
“People are worried, they’re worried.” “I will continue to take every step I can to increase the safety of our individuals, our members of the New York State community.”
She added: “If anyone thinks they can get away with spreading hate, harming other New Yorkers and breaking the law, you will get caught.”
New York City represents the largest religious Jewish community of any city in the world, more than Tel Aviv and Jerusalem combined.
About 1.6 million Jews live here and almost half of the city’s Jews live in Brooklyn.