Jewish New Yorkers, roughly 10-12% of the city’s population, were targeted in more than 50% of confirmed hate crimes this year.
By Shula Rosen
Republican New York attorney general candidate Saritha Komatireddy said Friday she would declare an antisemitism state of emergency immediately after taking office if elected, promising stronger prosecution of hate crimes following an attack on a 26-year-old rabbi in Manhattan.
Komatireddy, a former federal prosecutor running against Democratic Attorney General Letitia James, announced the proposal on West 47th Street, where Yousef Krish was attacked Wednesday.
“When I am attorney general, I will declare a state of emergency on antisemitism on day one,” Komatireddy said.
Krish, who recently received his rabbinic ordination, was walking in the Diamond District at about 6 p.m. when a Russian-speaking woman began harassing him, according to police and law enforcement sources.
Footage showed Krish moving into the street in an attempt to avoid the woman before she followed him and jabbed his back with a sharp object.
He was hospitalized in stable condition. The suspect had not been identified or arrested, and the NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force was investigating.
Komatireddy pointed to NYPD statistics released this month showing that Jewish New Yorkers, who account for roughly 10-12% of the city’s population, were targeted in more than 50% of confirmed hate crimes this year.
“Every Jewish New Yorker is feeling the rise of hate in our city and in our state,” she said.
Her proposed response would emphasize prosecution after arrests.
“Even when we have the best police force in the world, and we do, they can arrest someone, but if there’s not follow-up through charging, prosecution, conviction, and sentencing, then it won’t work,” Komatireddy said.
She also alleged that James had not staffed the attorney general’s Hate Crimes Unit.
“I will staff the Hate Crimes Unit, and I will ensure that we prosecute hate crimes and all crime in New York,” Komatireddy said. “I’ll do it myself if I have to.”
Some polls ahead of the Nov. 3 election have put James at about 50.7% and Komatireddy at 44.7% following their debate earlier in October.
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