Police arrest suspect following violent assault on a rabbi in Queens, New York, January 27, 2026. (Shomrim Queens via X)
Rabbi assaulted in New York City in antisemitic incident during International Holocaust Remembrance Day, drawing condemnation from city and state officials.
By World Israel News Staff
A man was arrested by New York City Police on Tuesday after he physically assaulted a rabbi in the Queens borough of New York City.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. in the Forest Hills neighborhood when the perpetrator confronted the rabbi, harassing and threatening him before punching him.
During the incident, the suspect called the victim a “f**king Jew.”
After punching the rabbi, the suspect fled the scene.
The victim notified the local neighborhood watch organization, Shomrim Queens, which worked with the New York City Police Department to locate and apprehend the assailant.
According to a statement released by Shomrim Queens, volunteers from the group quickly located the suspect at a train station near the scene of the attack.
Police officers were dispatched to the train station and arrested the assailant.
City and state officials condemned the attack, noting that it took place on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
“Today — on International Holocaust Remembrance Day — a rabbi was assaulted in an act of antisemitic violence,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul.
“Our Hate Crimes Task Force stands ready to assist the NYPD in the investigation of this heinous crime. Everyone should be free to walk our streets without fear.”
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he was “horrified” by the attack.
“I’m horrified by the antisemitic assault on a rabbi in Forest Hills. On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, New Yorkers were confronted with a painful truth: Antisemitism is not a thing of the past—it is a present danger that demands action from all of us.”
“There is no place for antisemitism in our city. I stand in solidarity with Jewish New Yorkers, and my administration is committed to rooting out this hatred,” the mayor stated.
In a joint statement, City Council member Lynn Schulman, state senators Joe Addabbo and Leroy Comrie, State Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi, and Assemblymember Sam Berger said they were “outraged” by the incident.
“This was a targeted act of hate, and it has no place in our community or anywhere in New York City.”
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