Latest news with #CommunitySecurityInitiative
New York Times
16 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Times
As Bombs Land in Israel and Iran, New Yorkers Fear for Their Loved Ones
Israelis and Iranians have long feared open warfare between their countries, and as the bombs fell on Saturday, Americans with loved ones in both places watched from afar with anger, fear and a sense of deep foreboding. Leili, an Iranian in New York who asked to be identified by only her first name for fear of retribution from the Iranian government, said she learned the war had begun when texts from friends and family began pouring in. Since then, she has followed the news, but has often found it too painful to bear. 'I thought, 'This is monstrous,'' she said. 'I saw images of little boys in Shiraz, which to me is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, sitting on the ground, bloodied. It has been heartbreaking.' Many Jewish Americans have met the outbreak of war with feelings of 'frustration and helplessness,' especially after recent attacks on Jews in Washington, D.C., and Colorado, said Mitchell Silber, the executive director of the Community Security Initiative, which provides security guidance to Jewish institutions in the New York area. 'Everything is compounded after the last few weeks because of the attack in D.C. and the attack in Boulder,' he said. 'The level of anxiety in the Jewish community is about as high as I have ever seen it.' The war began on Friday when Israel launched a surprise attack that took aim at the Iranian regime. Since then, the two countries have launched waves of attacks at each other. Israel's strikes have killed at least 128 people in Iran and injured more than 900 others, according to the country's health ministry. In Israel, at least 13 people, identified as civilians, have been killed during Iran's retaliatory barrages since Friday. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Anti-Israel protester gets wrist-slap for trying to ID ‘Zionists' on packed NYC subway train
An anti-Israel protester got a slap on the wrist for allegedly barging onto a packed Manhattan subway train last summer and demanding 'Zionists' identify themselves — a legal outcome that left Jewish advocacy groups outraged. Anas Saleh, 24, will have his disorderly conduct charge tossed if he completes four hours of community service at a Jewish organization and attends an anti-bias course for his alleged threatening behavior, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office confirmed Wednesday. Saleh was also initially facing coercion and attempted coercion charges, but those have already been dismissed by a judge because of 'facial insufficiency,' prosecutors said in court. The DA's office agreed with providing Saleh the opportunity to rid himself of the final charge after speaking with the complaining witness and 'considering the defendant's lack of a criminal history.' Prosecutors also noted that Saleh completed 'a program mandated by his employer.' Liora Rez, the founder of the StopAntisemitism advocacy group, slammed the court's decision. 'A mere four hours of community service and an anti-bias course for blatant antisemitic harassment? This is not justice — it's a disgrace,' Rez told The Post in a statement. 'Anas Saleh's threats against fellow passengers on the NYC subway warranted real consequences, yet he walks away with a slap on the wrist. This weak response sends a dangerous message: antisemitism is tolerated,' Rex wrote, adding, 'We demand accountability, not appeasement.' Community Security Initiative, a group dedicated to protect and enhance the security of Jewish communities and institutions in the New York City metro area, is also calling out the state for what they say are weak hate crime laws. 'We are deeply concerned that New York's current hate crime laws do not classify Mr. Saleh's actions as a hate crime. His conduct was not merely an exercise of constitutionally protected free speech,' the Community of Security Initiative said in statement to The Post. 'He deliberately used the term 'Zionist' in the same way that haters use other prosecutable words of hate. We call on the New York State Legislature to update existing laws to accurately reflect the hate involved in such cases and ensure that perpetrators face appropriate consequences,' the statement continued. Saleh, of Staten Island, allegedly screamed, 'Raise your hand if you're a Zionist. This is your chance to get out,' after boarding a subway car at Union Square station on June 10. Protests at Union Square on that hectic night included banners reading 'Long Live October 7' and rabid anti-Israel demonstrators yelling things pro-Hitler sentiments. The hate-fueled incident upset not only activists but also Mayor Eric Adams. 'Threatening New Yorkers based on their beliefs is not only vile, it's illegal and will not be tolerated. Let this be a lesson to all those who think they can act illegally and then hide: The NYPD will find you and charge you in accordance with the law,' Adams said at the time. Saleh was initially facing up to a year in prison if convicted on the coercion charge. Saleh will be performing his community service at the Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, a pro-gay Jewish organization.
