In response to a call for a global ‘day of Jihad’ from a former Hamas chief, the NYPD has ordered all of its officers to report, in uniform, for duty as Jewish schools prepare for possible attacks.
Some Jewish parents are frightened enough to keep their kids at home for the day.
‘A day for sacrifice, heroism, and dedication’: Hamas calls for world-wide ‘general mobilization’ on Friday https://t.co/rzvLzbP3gT via @BIZPACReview
— BPR based (@DumpstrFireNews) October 11, 2023
The increased presence of New York’s men and women in blue is a move made out of “an abundance of caution,” Rebecca Weiner, Deputy Commissioner of the NYPD Intelligence and Counterterrorism Bureau, told leaders of the Jewish community on Thursday. No credible or specific threats have been made against the Big Apple, Weiner said, according to the New York Post.
“This is to deter anyone who would seek to do us harm in this city,” Weiner explained, “We still are not seeing any threat reporting suggesting violence in New York City.”
“We are obviously aware that that can change at any moment,” she added.
On Thursday, New York Mayor Eric Adams echoed Weiner’s assessment.
“The horrific and cowardly attacks by the terrorist organization, Hamas, in Israel, have shaken the world,” Adams said in a video statement. “It is a painful moment for New York City, for our country, and for the world. We extend our sincerest condolences for all the innocent lives lost in these attacks, for all the hostages still being held captive, and for all the innocent lives lost on both sides who are caught in the middle of a war.”
“No family should be experiencing this pain,” he said.
“New York City is one of the most diverse cities in the world,” the mayor continued, “and protecting our residents is our most sacred responsibility. We want to be clear that there are currently no credible or specific threats against our city. But we must remain vigilant. We have directed the NYPD to deploy additional resources to our schools and houses of worship to ensure that New Yorkers are safe.”
“If New Yorkers see something,” he directed, “we ask that you say something. We will do whatever it takes to keep our city safe. New York City rejects terrorism. We reject hate. We stand united.”
In the wake of the barbaric attacks perpetrated by Hamas in Israel and the messages of hate and violence across the world, I want every New Yorker, especially our Jewish community, to know:
There are currently no credible or specific threats against our city. pic.twitter.com/752HxOF103
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) October 12, 2023
It is, perhaps, a difficult message to sell after swarms of pro-Palestinian/Hamas advocates showed up at NYC’s Columbia University.
The school closed its campus to the public on Thursday, “hours after a 24-year-old Israeli student was beaten with a stick outside the school’s library on Wednesday evening,” The Post reports.
NEW: The scene at Columbia University in New York City where the school has been overrun by pro-Palestine protesters.
Just a few days ago, Hamas terrorists murdered innocent Israeli men, women and children.
In response to the barbaric attacks, college campuses have been overrun… pic.twitter.com/X7Y1WroMPn
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 12, 2023
According to The Post, “Police advised religious centers to limit access to buildings, ensure doors are locked at all times, double check their security cameras and alarms are working properly, conduct perimeter sweeps, and screen any mail and packages.”
A Wednesday night memo to all NYPD members informed them that no excusals or shift changes would be granted. The “all hands” order will stay in effect “until further notices.”
Fresh Meadows father, Rabbi Hillel Lavery-Yisraëli, told The Post that an extra guard has been assigned to his son’s Jewish day school to assist staff that are already posted at every entrance.
The children will be kept indoors.
“The big thing, at least for my son, is that they decided, until further notice, they’re not letting kids outside during recess,” he said. “Even though they have a totally fenced-in yard, the kids are spending the entire school day indoors just as a precaution.”
“From the moment they get to school until they get picked up, they’re inside the building,” Lavery-Yisraëli said. “They [the school] are worried about copycats or sympathy attacks.”
“It’s a really bizarre situation,” he said. “We want to tell our children that they’re safe here.”
Unfortunately, it’s not safe, he said, noting that “There are plenty of people who look for opportunities to do things like this.”
On Thursday, his son’s school, heeding the advice of its security company, announced that it would close on Friday.
“It’s just for tomorrow. They want to be cautious — so who am I to criticize it?” Lavery-Yisraëli asked. “We’re all in a stressful situation here, living through this crazy Twilight Zone.”
“Our kids go to a pluralistic Jewish school focused on social justice, diversity & community,” wrote NYC father Aaron Messing on X. “School is cancelled tomorrow because of the Day of Jihad – Hamas’ call for worldwide murder & violence against Jews.”
“We live in NYC,” he stated. “Are we still pretending this is about Israel?”
Our kids go to a pluralistic Jewish school focused on social justice, diversity & community.
School is cancelled tomorrow because of the Day of Jihad – Hamas’ call for worldwide murder & violence against Jews.
We live in NYC.
Are we still pretending this is about Israel?
— Aaron Messing (@amess) October 12, 2023
“I understand why – I get it,” Messing told The Post. “It’s not about school being closed. It’s the horror of kids being used as pawns in geopolitical disputes. It’s unacceptable.”
“This isn’t about Israel – it’s about Jews,” the father said. “And that’s what’s so horrifying.”
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Melissa Fine is the former executive editor of Casino Player, Strictly Slots, and Poker
Digest magazines. She is a UCLA graduate, news junkie, and dedicated Stargate SG-
1 fan. Melissa currently lives with her dog and two cats in a tiny town in the Sierra
Nevada foothills.
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