Some elected officials in New York are requesting Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) deploy the state's National Guard in order to combat the wave of anti-Semitic hate crimes the Jewish community is experiencing.
A group of Jewish state lawmakers and New York City councilmen said action is needed as there has been a rise in anti-Semitic hate crimes and with several occurring almost everyday this past week.
"During the past several days in particular, several identifiably Orthodox Jews in and around areas we represent have been targeted with a rash of violence unseen in modern history," the letter states. "Orthodox Jews are being regularly assaulted, menaced, stabbed and murdered in increasing number."
"We are writing to ask that you declare a state of emergency and that you deploy the New York State Police and the New York National Guard to visibly patrol and protect Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods throughout our state," the letter continues.
The group also calls for Cuomo to appoint a special prosecutor to handle the increasing number of anti-Semitic hate crime cases.
"Simply stated, it is no longer safe to be identifiably Orthodox in the State of New York. We cannot shop, walk down a street, send our children to school, or even worship in peace."
This morning @NYSenatorFelder, Assemblyman @SEichenstein, Councilman @ChaimDeutsch and I sent this letter to @NYGovCuomo.
— Kalman Yeger (@KalmanYeger) December 29, 2019
We're asking for the State Police and NY National Guard to be deployed to our neighborhoods, and for a special prosecutor to prosecute antisemitic violence. pic.twitter.com/EVh8BjwpjT
We’re calling for a state of emergency in New York. We need help from the State Police & the National Guard so that we can protect our constituents.
— Councilman Deutsch (@ChaimDeutsch) December 29, 2019
Our communities are shaken. We have watched our neighbors beaten, stabbed, & gunned down. We don’t feel safe in our own homes. https://t.co/a4yCuqdHOz
The letter was sent after a man used a machete to stab five people who were celebrating Hanukkah at a rabbi's home in Monsey, New York on Saturday night.