Maniac’s attempt to ram Jewish students with car reveals how widespread antisemitism is in NYC, officials say
NY Post
The disturbing vehicular attack on Orthodox students and rabbis outside a Brooklyn yeshiva on Wednesday is a sickening symptom of a recent spike in antisemitism, politicians and community leaders said.
“This crime should be an eye-opener happening right there in south Brooklyn,” state Assemblywoman Jaime Williams told The Post Thursday. “If this can happen here, it can happen anywhere. If the Jewish students weren’t paying attention they would have been run over.”
Mark Treyger, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council and a one-time city lawmaker, called the disturbing incident a symptom of the times.
“This dangerous incident can’t be seen in isolation with the backdrop of rising antisemitism,” Treyger said. “No community should have to be worried about their children being run over because of their faith or identity. Government leaders at all levels have to do a better job of holding these bad actors accountable.”
Asghar Ali, 58, a Pakistani immigrant and Big Apple cabbie, was charged with attempted assault as a hate crime, attempted assault and menacing in the shocking Wednesday morning incident in Flatbush.
Surveillance footage of the incident shows a white 2011 Crown Victoria mounting the curb outside the Mesivta Nachlas Ykov Vien Yeshiva shortly before 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
