New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Jessica Tisch revealed increased security measures ahead of September’s Jewish High Holy Days and ceremonies to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
During a press conference Wednesday, Mamdani discouraged the public from traversing through lower Manhattan on Friday. The city will be closing streets around Ground Zero with dignitaries, including Vice President JD Vance, slated to attend a commemoration of the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
The mayor also expressed sympathy to Jewish New Yorkers who have experienced an uptick in antisemitic hate crimes in recent years.
“I want to speak directly to our Jewish New Yorkers now,” Mamdani said. “Your safety during these sacred days is of the utmost importance to our administration, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that you can observe the holiday securely. There will be an increased NYPD presence outside of synagogues across the five boroughs, as well as other Jewish religious and cultural locations.”
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Mamdani said there were no specific or credible threats to any New Yorkers but maintained that the city will remain vigilant ahead of the weekend’s events.
Tisch echoed Mamdani’s message that there were no specific threats, adding that hate crimes, and antisemitic hate crimes in particular, are on the rise.
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“Even as shootings and murders have fallen to historic lows, hate crimes are moving in the wrong direction through the first eight months of this year. Confirmed hate crimes citywide are up 16%, and antisemitic hate crimes are up 9%. And once again, more than half of all confirmed hate crimes in New York City have targeted Jewish New Yorkers, even though Jews make up only about 10% of this city’s population. Those numbers are deeply disturbing,” Tisch said.
She pointed to specific incidents, including the July stabbing of Moshe Grunhaus, a 50-year-old Jewish man wearing a kippah who was attacked with a screwdriver outside The Jewish Center in Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
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She also revealed that intelligence officers have disrupted multiple plotted attacks on Jews in New York in recent years.
“Since October 7th, our intelligence community has also tracked threats and disrupted plots directed at Jewish institutions here in New York, including alleged plans for attacks against a Manhattan synagogue and a Jewish center in Brooklyn,” Tisch said.
Tisch assured New York’s Jews that they can rely on the NYPD to protect them.
“I want all Jewish New Yorkers to know this. You have a partner in the NYPD now and throughout the year. As of today, there are no specific, credible threats directed at High Holy Day celebrations in New York City. But we remain vigilant,” she said.
Fox News Digital contacted the mayor’s office and the NYPD for additional comment.
