The NYPD is increasing patrols around synagogues and other worship locations as New York City’s Jewish community observes Shabbat following the tragic deaths of two Israeli Embassy staffers in DC.
Mayor Eric Adams condemned the young couple’s murder and criticized recent pro-Palestinian protests in the city as antisemitic during his speech at the Center for Jewish History on Thursday.
“We may not agree on politics,” Adams said, “but we must agree that we won’t let hate or violence take anyone.”
Adams drew a parallel between the current heightened security measures and the NYPD’s response on Oct. 8, a day after the Hamas attacks on Israel. He emphasized that this security increase is preventative, as there have been no specific threats identified in the city.
Hizzoner railed against local pro-Palestinian demonstrations that have sparked up in response to Israel’s ongoing military action in Gaza that was launched after the Oct. 7 attacks.
“We have heard so many people claim these protests aren’t antisemitic, they’re just anti-Israel. We cannot color-code hatred,” Adams said.
City officials made the announcement one day after two young DC embassy staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, were executed at “close range” while leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum.
The alleged gunman, 31-year-old Chicago resident Elias Rodriguez, shouted, “Free, free Palestine” as he was being arrested, DC police said.
Josh Kramer, director of American Jewish Committee, said his organization had set up the event with the theme of taking pain and giving it purpose.
Milgrim was a “cherished” member of public diplomacy with AJC who worked to bring peace between Israel and Palestine, Kramer said.
He described her now-deceased beau, Lischinsky, as a “welcoming presence.”
“This is what ‘Globalize the Antifada’ looks like,” Kramer said, referencing an anti-Israel rallying cry.
