NY Governor Andrew Cuomo has directed NY State Police Hate Crimes Unit to investigate the brutal stabbing attack of an Orthodox Jewish man in Rockland County, NY on Wednesday morning.
Police said the man was stabbed as he walked to Shul at about 5:49 a.m., 70 yards from the Mosdos Meharam Brisk Tashnad, a Shul, Beis Medrash and Mikvah in Monsey, NY.
The victim suffered multiple serious stab wounds and is in critical condition.
“I am deeply disturbed by the violent attack of an Orthodox Jewish man who was beaten and repeatedly stabbed while on his way to Synagogue in Monsey, Rockland County, earlier today,” the Governor said in a statement.
“I am directing the State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to assist the Ramapo Police Department and the Rockland County Sheriff’s office as they investigate this horrific assault and examine all potential motives, including whether the attack may have been motivated by anti-Semitism.
“This is not an isolated incident, all across the state we’ve seen an alarming rise in anti-Semitic vandalism and hate-fueled attacks. We cannot allow the cancer of hate to metastasize any further. The escalation of hatred and anti-Semitism must end here and now, and I urge all New Yorkers to denounce hate whenever and wherever they see it,” Governor Cuomo said.
The Anti-Defamation League announced that it is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrests and convictions of those who carried out the vicious attack.