Brutal Subway Attack Sparks Alarm as Antisemitic Incidents Soar Across New York City.
A Jewish student from Yeshiva University was assaulted Thursday evening near the 181st Street subway station in Washington Heights, Manhattan.
According to members of the local Jewish community, six to eight masked individuals attacked the student around 7:00 p.m. The assault reportedly occurred in an area described as a blind spot without visible cameras or immediate police presence.
A university spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating the student was the victim of an attempted robbery off campus and has since returned safely. Campus security is coordinating with the New York City Police Department as the investigation continues.
While officials indicated the attack appears unrelated to antisemitism, the incident comes during a sharp rise in antisemitic hate crimes across New York City. Newly released NYPD data shows antisemitic incidents surged 182% year-over-year in January 2026, with 31 reported cases compared to 11 during the same month last year.
Recent incidents include the assault of a rabbi in Queens on Holocaust Remembrance Day and vandalism targeting the Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters in Crown Heights.
The rise in reported hate crimes coincides with the beginning of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration. On his first day in office, Mamdani revoked executive orders issued by former Mayor Eric Adams after September 26, 2024, including measures recognizing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition and restrictions on official boycotts of Israel.
As investigations proceed, Jewish leaders and residents are calling for enhanced security measures and decisive action to ensure safety in neighborhoods with significant Jewish populations.
