In Manhattan’s Upper West Side on Thursday afternoon, two consecutive knife attacks occurred, targeting a Jewish man and a Chinese man, both stabbed without apparent reason. Fortunately, neither of them is in life-threatening condition. The 51-year-old suspect, Raul Morales, shouted “Allahu Akbar” during both attacks, sparking an investigation by the police into whether the incidents constitute hate crimes. Authorities also mentioned that the mental health condition of the suspect could be a contributing factor.
The incidents have drawn attention from various sectors. Brooklyn City Councilmember, Wen-Yi Zhuang, along with multiple elected officials and community leaders, held a press conference on Friday to condemn the violent acts and call for a united stand against anti-Semitism, anti-Asian sentiments, and any form of hatred.
The police reported that the first attack took place around 1:30 p.m. near 84th Street on Central Park West, where a 57-year-old Jewish man wearing a small round hat was stabbed in the chest. Minutes later, the suspect struck again near 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, injuring a 50-year-old Chinese man. Both victims were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital for treatment and are currently in stable condition.
Zhuang emphasized that New York City does not tolerate any form of anti-Semitic or anti-Asian hate, or any kind of prejudice. She stressed that this incident serves as a reminder that hate speech, once normalized, can breed violence and that the power of words should not be underestimated. She called for unity across different racial groups to oppose anti-Semitism, anti-Asian hate, racial discrimination, and all forms of prejudice, stating that love must triumph over hate, unity over division, and courage over fear.
This attack has reignited controversy over recent remarks made by Mayor Mamdani. Earlier this week, Mamdani released a video criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu as a “war criminal,” which garnered over 90 million views. Following the attacks, many Jewish elected officials believe that there is a prevailing hostility towards Jews in society, urging political figures to be more cautious in their language.
State Assemblymember for the Upper West Side, Micah Lasher, urged all politicians, including the mayor, to “lower the political temperature” and prevent further polarization in society. City Council Speaker, Julie Menin, also highlighted the importance of words, stating that all public officials have a responsibility to reduce social divisions.
Mayor Mamdani responded by clarifying that his criticism of Netanyahu was directed at the political leader and his policies, not at any religion or ethnicity. He emphasized that as the Mayor of New York City, ensuring the safety of all New Yorkers is paramount, regardless of their religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation. Regarding the recent stabbings, he once again condemned violence, stating that “these despicable and cowardly attacks have no place in New York City.”