What happened

A 22-year-old man named Vincent Sumpter has been charged with eight felonies, including assault as a hate crime, after allegedly stabbing a Jewish man near the Chabad Hasidic movement’s headquarters in Brooklyn. The incident occurred near 770 Eastern Parkway early Saturday morning.

Why it matters

This heinous act underscores the growing antisemitic sentiments faced by the Jewish community, particularly in areas with significant Jewish populations such as Crown Heights. The community and its leaders are raising concerns over escalating hateful rhetoric and violence.

Details

Sumpter reportedly shouted “Free Palestine” and “Do you want to die?” before attacking the victim during Shabbat. Rabionic leaders emphasized the hurtful intent behind these statements, noting they were intended to terrorize the Jewish populace paying their respects during their holy day.

The incident

Vincent Sumpter was involved in an altercation around 2 a.m. with Yechiel Dabrowskin, a member of the Chabad community. The victim suffered a knife wound dangerously close to his heart and needed surgery but is expected to be released from the hospital soon.

Community response

Local bystanders intervened and detained the assailant until law enforcement arrived. The UJA-Federation of New York and the Anti-Defamation League both issued statements condemning the attack and vowed support for the victim and the Jewish community. Rabbi Yaacov Behrman and other community leaders highlighted the attack as a grim warning concerning the rise of vehement antisemitic actions.

Context

The broader context for this attack includes an increase in anti-Jewish hate crimes, stoked by pro-Palestinian rhetoric especially following Hamas’s attack on Israel last October. Brooklyn and especially Crown Heights have witnessed hundreds of such incidents over the past year, showing an alarming trend in targeted violence against the Jewish community.

Escalation in hate crimes

Mark Treyger of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York termed this recent violence as a dire escalation reflecting the perilous climate in the city. Urging all New Yorkers to regard it as an attack against each citizen, he stressed that united condemnation is vital.

Moving forward

Community leaders are advocating for heightened awareness and robust action to counter these hate crimes. They urge that any incitation against a group should be met with unequivocal denunciation to prevent future violence.

This story was first published on jpost.com.