New York Increases Efforts to Combat Hate and Bias, Amidst Rising Antisemitism

By Yehudit Garmaise

On Friday, New York’s Department of Human Rights launched a new telephone hotline and a new online form on which New Yorkers can report hate and bias incidents.

While New Yorkers should remember to first report to 911 emergency situations and real-time incidents, the State’s Division’s Hate and Bias Prevention Unit (HBPU), which can be reached at 844-NO-2-HATE, encourages anyone who has experienced an incident involving hate or discrimination, to contact HBPU.

The HBPU, which condemns all forms of hate and seeks to address acts of hate and bias that occur in New York State, “stands ready to offer a wide range of assistance to community members,” Gov. Hochul said.

While Boro Park residents have been grateful to see an increased police presence in the neighborhood, on Shabbos, thousands of anti-Israel protesters clashed with the NYPD after refusing to vacate streets in Bay Ridge, amidst a worldwide sense of increased anti-Jewish sentiment.

While the City, in which 1.1 million Jews live, continues to reel from the October 7 attacks, the resulting war, and the deluge of negative and often false and biased media reports, Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Hochul continue to denounce hate directed at Jews. 

“To be clear, as tensions rise, we will not tolerate any form of bigotry, whether it be antisemitism, islamophobia, or any other kind of hate or discrimination,” Mayor Adams has repeatedly stated.

Last week, Governor Hochul, who called the experience “life-changing” was the first American leader to visit the scene of the atrocities that tragically took place at Kibbutz Kfar Aza, where more than 100 Jews were murdered and many kidnapped on Simchas Torah.

Before his own visit to Israel last week, President Joe Biden attributed the invasion of the kibbutzim and other Israeli communities to the "bloodthirstiness" of Hamas terrorists who live on the other side of the Gaza border.

After entering what remained of the home of a family that was attacked, Governor Hochul expressed, “solidarity and deep concern for the people of Israel, particularly in the aftermath.”

“[We need to] bring home the hostages," Hochul stated. "As [I] represent the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, it was important for me to come and experience this and be able to report first-hand of the atrocities, but also our support for Israel at this time... No New Yorker should have to endure the discrimination that hate fuels. Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority.”