Local Officials Condemn Antisemitic Assault in Williamsburg

By Williamsburg 365 Staff

Local elected officials and law enforcement leaders are condemning an apparent antisemitic assault that left an Orthodox Jewish man injured late Friday night in Williamsburg.

The incident occurred around 11:20 p.m. on Willoughby Avenue near Nostrand Avenue, when a 35-year-old woman allegedly punched the victim in the face while shouting antisemitic slurs. The victim was walking home with his wife and children at the time and is a member of the Shomrim community patrol.

New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin issued a statement expressing outrage over the attack.

“I am horrified by this attack in Williamsburg, which stokes further fear and division at a time when many in our Jewish community are already concerned,” Menin said. “I will continue to fight relentlessly against antisemitism and urge all New Yorkers to unite against such hatred.”

A spokesperson for the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office also condemned the incident, calling it a clear act of antisemitic violence.

“This was a horrific attack against a Jewish family walking home on the Sabbath,” the spokesperson said. “Every person in this city should be able to safely worship and walk our streets, and this type of antisemitic violence cannot be tolerated in Brooklyn. The defendant in this case is being charged with a hate crime, and we will seek to hold them fully accountable.”

Councilman Lincoln Restler condemned the incident, calling it a “horrible and apparently antisemitic attack” that occurred on Shabbos in Williamsburg.

“Horrible—apparently antisemitic—incident in Williamsburg on Shabbos. A Shomrim member was punched in the face in an unprovoked attack while walking with his family. I’m grateful to Hatzalah for treating the victim and to the NYPD’s 79th Precinct for swiftly detaining the assailant.

I spoke to the gentleman earlier who was repeatedly struck in this attack on Friday. He was simply trying to protect his wife and children from an unwell person who was shouting vile antisemitic slurs at them. I hope the NYPD and the District Attorney pursue this as a hate crime.”