Watch: Jewish NYC businesses vandalized on Israeli Independence Day eve

Published: MAY 15, 2024 21:46

Updated: MAY 16, 2024 19:59

Masked vandals damage glass at the Rothschild TLV Israeli cuisine restaurant in New York, May 15, 2024. (Rothschild TLV)

NYC city hall was lit blue and white in honor of Israel's Independence Day, according to NYC Mayor Eric Adams honoring "the remarkable achievements of the State of Israel"

Two Jewish-owned New York City businesses vandalized on the night before Independence Day, Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz and the owner of one of the establishments said Wednesday.

The Rothschild TLV restaurant, which serves Israeli cuisine, and Israeli market-style Nuts Factory were both defaced on Tuesday night, according to reports.

Security footage from Rothschild showed an individual with a medical mask and baseball hat passing by the restaurant and then returning a few moments later to smash a window with an object. The vandal then departed.

Steinmetz said he had met with Rothschild chef Guy Kairi and assured him that the Jewish community would stand with him. He encouraged the community to patronize the establishments.

Antisemitism in New York City

“To paraphrase Jeremiah, antisemitism has arrived at our window,” Steinmetz said on social media. “In the face of these attacks, we will do what Jews have always done: Stay strong. We won’t give an inch to haters.”

NEW YORK City Mayor Eric Adams meets with President Isaac Herzog during a recent presidential visit to New York City. ‘Hatred and intolerance have no place in New York City, and should have no place elsewhere,’ says Adams. (credit: New York City Mayor’s Office)

New York City Hall was lit in blue and white in honor of Independence Day to honor “the remarkable achievements of the State of Israel and the resilience of its people,” New York Mayor Eric Adams said.

“As mayor of the city with the largest Jewish population on the globe outside of Israel, I am reminded every day how important of an ally Israel has been to America,” he said.