New York City sees surge in anti‑Jewish hate crimes in 2026

New York City police data show an 8.5% rise in anti‑Jewish hate crimes since the start of 2026, with 205 incidents recorded in the first seven months, up from 189 in the same period a year earlier. July alone saw 23 anti‑Semitic attacks, and Jews—who comprise about 10% of the city’s population—accounted for roughly 70% of all reported hate crimes, a 53.3% increase over July 2025.

City officials and community leaders have responded. Mayor Zohran Mamdani faces criticism from Jewish groups who say his outspoken stance on Israel fuels hostility. State Assembly member Sam Berger and Reform Judaism leader Rabbi Rick Jacobs have both denounced the mayor’s rhetoric. Mark Treyger, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council, called the data a “wake‑up call” and urged a comprehensive strategy that combines law‑enforcement with education, prevention, and community engagement, emphasizing that “we cannot solely arrest our way out of hate.”