Woman attacked with cane in Brooklyn subway platform incident motivated by antisemitism.
A 29-year-old Jewish woman was reportedly assaulted in an incident characterized as a hate crime while waiting at a subway platform in Brooklyn. According to police accounts, the attack took place around 12:45 p.m. on June 12, after the woman entered the Kings Highway Q train station in the Midwood neighborhood. The assailant, described as a white male aged between 55 and 65, approached her while utilizing a cane and began shouting antisemitic slurs, instructing her to “go back to your country.”
The confrontation escalated when the victim began recording the suspect on her cell phone. In response to being filmed, the individual violently struck her hand with his cane before departing the scene. Thankfully, the victim did not require medical attention following the incident. The New York Police Department (NYPD) has released the footage captured by the woman in hopes that the public may assist in identifying the perpetrator.
Officials are pursuing the investigation with the determination that this incident falls under the category of hate crimes, a designation which underscores the significant societal concern surrounding antisemitism. The suspect is further detailed as having a medium build, with characteristics including short blonde hair, and was last seen wearing a multicolored collared shirt, blue jeans, and black sneakers, in addition to carrying a black book bag.
The NYPD has observed a notable rise in antisemitic incidents since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7, 2023. In a recent statement, Mayor Eric Adams noted the persistent nature of antisemitic displays in New York City since the conflict began. Interestingly, while there was a 54% decrease in reported anti-Jewish hate crimes in May compared to the previous year—falling from 52 incidents to 24—the proportion of antisemitic events reported accounted for nearly 60% of all hate crimes documented during that month.
Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the incident in Brooklyn to contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All tips provided will remain confidential, reinforcing the community’s role in supporting law enforcement efforts to combat hate crimes.
The rising trend of antisemitic crime highlights the urgent need for awareness and proactive measures to address hate-related violence in urban environments.
