Communities in the US - Jews, Palestinians, and Muslims - Unite in Fear as Bigotry and Hatred Escalate

Communities across the United States, already affected by the violent incidents resulting from the Israel and Hamas war, are now experiencing a tangible sense of fear and tension. Many individuals compare the discrimination and animosity faced by Jews, Palestinians, Muslims, and other groups to the atmosphere of a post-9/11 world. Zein Rimawi, founder and member of the Islamic Society of Bay Ridge in south Brooklyn, New York, expressed that everyone feels unsafe, particularly highlighting the recent attack on three young men by a small pro-Israel group shortly after the war began. Rimawi remarked that the current situation is even worse than the aftermath of 9/11.

During the 2001 terror attacks, the neighborhood activist, who resided in Bay Ridge at the time, expressed his sense of fear. However, he also mentioned feeling a sense of security as political leaders defended American Muslims against discrimination.

Following the surprise attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, Israel initiated a war against the militant group. The Israel Defense Forces reported that this attack resulted in the brutal deaths of 1,400 individuals in Israel, including both civilians and military personnel. Additionally, over 200 others were abducted.

The events in the Middle East have resulted in a ripple effect on prominent cities like New York. Advocates and community leaders assert that there has been a surge in hate-motivated incidents, disproportionately affecting Jews, Palestinians, Muslims, and other minority groups, following the initial attacks. One instance involved a victim being targeted solely based on their affiliation with one of these groups.

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New York City harbors the largest Jewish community outside of Israel and boasts one of the largest Muslim populations in the country. FBI data reveals that in 2001, subsequent to the appalling 9/11 terrorist attacks, anti-Muslim biased crimes surged to become the second most frequently reported incidents motivated by religious prejudice. Concurrently, incidents targeting the Jewish faith ranked highest.

Family and community members praying at the funeral service for six-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume at the Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview, Illinois on October 16, 2023. (Photo credit: Kamil Krzaczynski/Getty Images)

US Palestinians and Muslims are expressing heightened anxiety and fear, as they are concerned about a resurgence of Islamophobia similar to the post-9/11 era. A recent collaborative report by the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Counterterrorism Center acknowledged the rise in reported threats against religious communities, with a specific emphasis on Jewish and Muslim communities.

The US has witnessed an alarming surge in antisemitic incidents, with the Anti-Defamation League reporting over 1,200 cases through May 2023. This comes after a record high in 2022, and the organization has already observed a rise in antisemitic imagery and rhetoric following the recent Hamas attack in Israel. Scott Richman, the ADL's regional director for New York and New Jersey, stated that nationally, there has been a 54% increase compared to the same period last year. In just twelve days from October 7 to October 19, there have been 168 antisemitic incidents reported across the country.

Reported numbers only tell part of the story

In a Brooklyn neighborhood called Bay Ridge, known for its significant Palestinian population, a distressing incident took place on October 11. A group of individuals, a few of whom were seen waving an Israeli flag, assaulted three men on the street. Prior to the attack, they inquired about the victims' Palestinian identity and proceeded to yell abhorrent statements like, "F**k Palestine, F**k Islam," as per a criminal complaint.

One of the victims necessitated medical assistance following the assault, as stated in the complaint. The complaint indicates that two of the assailants have been indicted on charges of assault and menacing as a hate crime, while four others are still at large.

Supporters of Palestine hold a rally in the Bay Ridge neighborhood on October 21, 2023.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Following a criminal complaint and local news reporting, it was reported that on the same day, a 19-year-old individual attacked a 24-year-old student from Columbia University. The student was putting up posters containing information about Israeli casualties when the 19-year-old tore them down and directed profanities towards the victim. The attacker proceeded to strike the victim using a broomstick. The complaint states that the 19-year-old has been charged with assault as a hate crime, along with other charges.

In another incident on October 14, a 29-year-old woman was assaulted by being punched in the face at the Grand Central subway station in Midtown Manhattan. When the victim confronted her attacker and asked why they hit her, the attacker responded by stating "because you (are) Jewish," as per police reports. Subsequently, a 28-year-old man was arrested this week and has been charged with a hate crime and aggravated assault.

Christopher Wray.

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Scores of unreported incidents never reach law enforcement, according to advocates, despite the increasing number of reported cases.

Richman from the ADL expressed concern about the challenges faced by his office in coping with the significant increase in various incidents. From people screaming "Free Palestine" to swastikas being painted at schools, they are being informed about a wide range of incidents.

And he says he believes the number of incidents, both locally and nationally, will increase if Israeli ground troops enter Gaza.

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"We have observed from our collective experience that whenever there is an escalation in the Israel-Palestine, Israel-Hamas conflict, individuals of Jewish heritage are unjustifiably targeted not only within this nation but also across other countries. They are essentially held accountable for the actions carried out by the Israeli government or military," stated Richman. "Given the prevailing assumptions people make solely based on one's Jewish identity, it becomes exceedingly challenging to discern people's true perspectives, leading to misguided conclusions and subsequent unwarranted anger towards the Jewish community."

On October 12, 2023, Columbia students actively joined forces in a rally and vigil to express their solidarity with Israel. This powerful display of support was prompted by a neighboring student rally advocating for Palestine. The event took place in New York City and captured by Spencer Platt/Getty Images.

Ahmed Rehab, the executive director of the Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, reported that his office receives an average of four to six complaints per week from individuals who claim to have been victimized or bullied. However, in the past two weeks since the start of the war, they have received a staggering 86 complaints.

Rehab expressed his frustration, stating that his phone hasn't stopped ringing, highlighting the increasing severity of the current situation compared to after the events of 9/11. He observed that not only are people being gripped by fear, but now it seems that there is a general reluctance to listen to the concerns of Muslim Americans.

In Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip, men are seen filling plastic jerricans with portable water on October 23, 2023. This activity takes place amidst the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. Since October 7, 2023, when Palestinian Hamas militants unexpectedly entered southern Israel, causing Israel to declare war on Hamas in Gaza on October 8, thousands of Israeli and Palestinian individuals have tragically lost their lives. (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED / AFP) (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty Images)

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Rehab expressed that Palestinians are dehumanized and often face the belief that they deserve the consequences of what is happening in Israel. He highlighted the lack of willingness to engage in a nuanced discussion about the value of human life and the importance of civilian lives. Rehab, who personally experienced hate crimes against his family and friends in the aftermath of 9/11 while working at a big accounting firm in Chicago, stated that victims of bias incidents often choose not to report the crime due to feeling helpless and discouraged.

"Experiencing challenges is quite prevalent in our society," Rehab remarked. "In addition, there is a reluctance to show vulnerability or a feeling of despair that no action will be taken or is feasible. Moreover, there is a perception of bureaucratic tendencies. We have encountered similar situations in the past, and unfortunately, they often dissolve into bureaucracy."

Others caught in the fray

The heightened tensions in recent weeks have evoked memories of the post-9/11 atmosphere for various groups.

According to the New York police, a 19-year-old Sikh man, who had a mask attached to his turban, was subjected to an attack while riding a bus last week. The assailant yelled, "We don't wear that in this country! Take that mask off!" Subsequently, the assailant proceeded to repeatedly punch the teenager and even attempted to remove his turban.

Japneet Singh, a community activist who spoke with the victim, stated that the individual feels extremely unsafe and is constantly looking over their shoulder. According to Singh, the teenager came to the US 10 months ago in pursuit of the American dream, but now they are feeling overall disappointed.

Police officers arrested a woman following clashes between protesters and members of the New York Police Department at a Brooklyn rally in support of Palestinians on October 21, 2023.

Sikh men choose to grow lengthy beards and don turbans to demonstrate their devotion to their religion, often leading many Americans to erroneously identify them as Muslims. Following the tragic events of 9/11, the Sikh Coalition advocacy group recorded over 300 instances of violence and discrimination.

Singh himself has encountered discrimination firsthand. Just one week ago, as he departed Gracie Mansion after a meeting with Mayor Eric Adams, a cluster of teenagers noticed his turban and proceeded to yell, "Hamas."

"My primary concern was the negative aspect of hate and its potential impact on our home. Remarkably, in less than a week, we began witnessing the ensuing chaos," Singh expressed. "It has been reminiscent of the aftermath of 9/11, with Islamophobic sentiments and rhetoric."

According to NYPD officials at a news conference on Tuesday, there have been 51 instances of hate crimes in New York since October 9. Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny stated that the majority of these incidents occurred during random encounters. He further noted that hate crime figures for the year had initially decreased by 22%, but after the conflict, the decline now stands at only 13%.

"Hate crimes have generally decreased, but there has been an increase since the Gaza incident," stated Kenny.

In response to inquiries on Monday regarding apprehensions about a possible surge in antisemitism linked to the ongoing conflict, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre assured CNN, "We have not detected any substantiated threats."

Jean-Pierre emphasized that Muslim individuals, as well as those who are perceived to be Muslim, have faced an alarming number of hate-driven assaults. President Biden is fully aware of the concerns expressed by Muslim, Arab American, and Palestinian American communities regarding the targeted hatred they are experiencing. This report includes additional information from Harmeet Kaur of CNN.