A recent poll has revealed that nearly half of Jewish voters in New York feel threatened due to their religious identity, with more than a third stating that New York is no longer a safe haven for Jews. This unsettling data comes from a survey conducted by the pro-Israel New York Solidarity Network.
The poll found that 44% of the 1,200 Jewish voters surveyed in New York City and surrounding areas have felt unsafe. Among Orthodox Jews, the number is even higher at 67%. Additionally, 35% of respondents agreed with the statement that “New York is no longer a safe haven for Jewish life and the Jewish people,” and nearly 40% expressed similar concerns about the safety of Jews in the United States.
Sara Forman, executive director of the New York Solidarity Network, emphasized the severity of these findings. “That more than a third of registered New York Jewish voters believe New York is no longer a safe haven for Jews should be a five-alarm fire for state and local elected officials,” Forman said.
The rise in antisemitic incidents in New York coincides with the October 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This surge in hate crimes has spilled over into college campuses, where Jewish students face increased hostility. Incidents at Cooper Union and Columbia University have left many students fearful due to anti-Israel protests and acts of vandalism.
A recent example includes the Brooklyn Museum’s director and Jewish board members being targeted by vandals who threw red paint and scrawled antisemitic messages on their homes. An anti-Jewish harasser from Staten Island was also arrested after demanding “Zionists” raise their hands on a New York subway car.
Half of the surveyed voters do not believe that New York’s colleges will ensure the safety of Jewish students in the upcoming fall semester. Furthermore, 86% of respondents see antisemitism as a serious problem, with 56% having witnessed anti-Jewish hatred on social media, a figure that rises to 72% among those under 30.
According to NYPD data obtained by The Post in April, antisemitic hate crimes have surged by 45% in 2024, with many attacks captured on video. For instance, a Jewish father of five in Brooklyn was beaten in front of his home during Hanukkah last year, and another man was robbed of his $2,500 traditional Jewish headpiece.
The alarming rise in antisemitic incidents has prompted calls for stricter measures to protect Jewish communities. Forman stressed the urgency of the situation, stating, “If we do not feel safe here, with the largest Jewish community outside of Israel, how can we feel safe anywhere?”
