Russian-speaking Jew was beaten in Brooklyn: he was attacked because of a pro-Israel hoodie

Two men in Brooklyn were attacked, calling them "dirty Jews." Then one of them was punched in the face for wearing a sweatshirt with the IDF symbol, says New York Post.

Blake Zawadzki and his friend Ilan Kaganovich were at the Foot Locker in Bay Ridge on the morning of December 26th. They were attacked by two.

“They asked us what we were doing in their area,” Zavadsky said. “They called us" dirty Jews. "

Zavadsky said the most annoying of the attackers was his hoodie with the emblem of the Israeli armed forces.

“The one who hit me said that if I didn’t take off my sweatshirt, he would beat me,” Zavadsky said.

"How can you support these dirty Jews?" The man said to him. According to Zavadsky, he did not just say, but “growled” these words.

On the subject: A group of Jews visiting Ukraine was removed from flights to New York twice

One of the men hit Zavadsky in the face, and when he refused to take off his sweatshirt, he poured cold coffee on him. New York City police said on December 27 that the incident was being investigated as a hate crime.

“I can't believe this happened,” said Kaganovich, who was told by the attackers not to interfere if he didn't want to be beaten.

“Blake and I are Jews, we should have the right to support Israel and this should not be a problem. My family moved from the Soviet Union for this very reason. We wanted to be able to live better and speak our minds openly,” he added.

Both men are from Brooklyn, with Zavadsky attending Staten Island College and Kaganovich at Brooklyn College. They said they were concerned that passers-by did not intervene or try to help them.

The guys were supported by a member of the city council Inna Vernikov

Two men tell their story to a newly elected city councilor Inne Vernikov... She was outraged by the wanton attack.

“The families of these guys fled [the former Soviet Union] precisely because of incidents like this. Jews have been beaten, thrown into jail and ostracized by the community just because they are Jews, ”said Vernikov, the daughter of Ukrainian immigrants, who will represent the southern Brooklyn neighborhoods in the city council.

“We fled to this country for freedom of religion. And again we are beaten in broad daylight in the center of Brooklyn, New York, in the United States of America, ”the politician said indignantly.

Police have not yet identified the suspects, who fled after the attack. Meanwhile, Zavadsky said he had no plans to give up his sweatshirt with the IDF symbol.

“We shouldn't be afraid to go out and say that we are Jews,” he said. - We must be proud of ourselves and stand up for what we believe in, and not be afraid. Now all we have to do is spread the word and make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else. ”

Governor's reaction

Gov. Katie Hockool tweeted on December 27 that the State Police Hate Crime Team is helping with the investigation and is "ready to offer additional support."

“This is disgusting and unacceptable,” Hokul said. “Anti-Semitism and hate have no place in New York.”