NYPD investigating harassment of woman by pro-Israel mob
A woman in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, was harassed by a pro-Israeli mob after protests against Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir's visit, leading to a police investigation. Videos captured the woman being encircled, taunted, and threatened by a group of Orthodox Jewish men, with police officers present but initially not intervening. The woman eventually escaped with police assistance after being pursued by the crowd, who shouted racial slurs and threats. The incident has sparked outcry from religious and advocacy groups, demanding action against those responsible for the hate crime. Rabbi Motti Seligson condemned both the protesters and counter-protesters, emphasizing the actions were against the values of the Torah.
The harassment incident occurred following protests against Israeli politician Itamar Ben Gvir's visit to the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters, which drew pro-Palestinian activists and Orthodox Jewish counter-protesters.
A woman was targeted by a group of Orthodox Jewish men who encircled her, hurled racial slurs, and threatened her, with some chanting 'Death to Arabs.'
Although NYPD officers were present at the scene, they initially did not intervene while the woman was being harassed, as seen in multiple videos.
The woman was assisted by a police officer who guided her away from the crowd, eventually requiring her to jump into a police vehicle to escape.
Various groups, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations, have condemned the incident, labeling it a hate crime and calling for legal action against the perpetrators.
Rabbi Motti Seligson and the Chabad-Lubavitch community disavowed the event and the actions of the Orthodox Jewish men involved, stating they do not align with Torah values.
The woman involved has called for an immediate hate crimes investigation, highlighting the severity of the threats and the inaction of initial police presence.