Antisemitism Watch

Antisemitic Assault and Robbery in Midtown Manhattan Investigated by NYPD Hate Crimes Unit
Planned Met Museum Exhibition on John Galliano Cancelled Amid Backlash Over Antisemitic Remarks
Canadian Advocacy Group Deploys Billboard Truck Targeting Individuals Charged with Hate Crimes

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Antisemitism Watch

Antisemitism Watch is a daily monitoring and analysis program tracking antisemitism worldwide — incidents, rhetoric, policy, and institutional responses — r

📝 Transcript

You're listening to Antisemitism Watch, I'm Rachel Adler.

We begin with a disturbing antisemitic assault and robbery in Midtown Manhattan. Surveillance video captured a Hasidic man being approached by a suspect who stole his hat and then punched him in the temple while shouting derogatory remarks, according to Manhattan Shomrim. The incident occurred near 47th Street and Sixth Avenue. Manhattan Shomrim reported this to the NYPD's Hate Crimes Unit, which is investigating. While an arrest has been made, Manhattan Shomrim stated the suspect was released without bail but is expected to face assault and antisemitic hate crime charges.

Meanwhile, in Orlando, Florida, antisemitic symbols and gestures marred a boxing event at the Kia Center over the weekend. Video showed a fan holding a flag bearing a swastika after a boxing match. Boxer Ben Azoulay, who is Jewish, expressed being deeply disturbed by the incident. Another boxer, Patrick Clark, recorded the flag and alleged that Nazi salutes were made by a fighter's corner men, calling it an attack on Jewish Americans. The City of Orlando stated the flag was removed once officials were aware and that they do not condone such messaging, but are bound by laws regarding venue use. Rabbi Dovid Dubov of Chabad of Greater Orlando commented that the public display of antisemitic imagery is troubling and indicates people feel increasingly comfortable displaying hatred openly.

In the realm of arts and culture, a planned exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art honoring fashion designer John Galliano has been cancelled. The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Galliano himself confirmed the spring 2027 exhibition would not proceed following weeks of backlash over his history of antisemitic and racist remarks. Galliano was fired by Christian Dior in 2011 after a video surfaced showing him praising Hitler and making antisemitic remarks. The Met had announced the exhibition would address his conduct, but criticism mounted from figures including New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, who called the decision a 'gut punch' to the Jewish community during this rising time of antisemitism and stated she had strongly disagreed with the decision from the beginning. Galliano stated he remains accountable for the pain caused by his past words, particularly to the Jewish and Asian communities. The cancellation follows opposition from donors and public officials, with Galliano deciding it was best for the show not to take place 'at this time.'

Turning to politics, Vice President JD Vance addressed the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas. The appearance aimed to reassure attendees about his commitment to Jewish Americans and the U.S. alliance with Israel. Vance discussed his travels in Israel and his connection to the Israeli people. He also faced questions about his association with Tucker Carlson, a former Fox News host who interviewed antisemite Nick Fuentes. Vance described his podcast appearances as ways to reach many people, whether he agrees with them or not, according to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. Some attendees expressed disappointment or confusion regarding his stance on Israel.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel drew criticism for remarks made at a gathering of the Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus. According to Jewish Insider, Nessel urged Jewish voters to 'put aside concerns about their safety 'in exchange for the opportunity to save the rest of humanity.'' Critics called these remarks a 'new low' and questioned her analogy to biblical Queen Esther. The remarks were made in the context of controversy over an anti-Israel Democratic nominee for Senate.

On the media landscape, Twitch streamer and political commentator Hasan Piker has reacted to Fox News labeling him an 'antisemite.' Piker discussed the possibility of legal action, noting that in jurisdictions like New York, where Fox News operates, calling someone an antisemite could fall under slander and defamation laws, as antisemitism carries an additional charge in New York state. He suggested that Fox News might be 'begging for a legal battle.' Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee referenced in the Fox News segment, stated he would not condemn Piker, suggesting statements can be taken out of context.

In Toronto, the Canadian Antisemitism Education Foundation, or CAEF, deployed a digital billboard truck targeting antisemitism. The truck displayed names and details of individuals recently arrested or sentenced for hate crime charges linked to pro-Palestinian demonstrations in a heavily Jewish neighborhood. CAEF's president, Michael Teper, stated the campaign aims to make antisemitism 'expensive, risky, career-terminating, and potentially involving jail time.' Images from the truck showed a roster titled 'Recently Sentenced Ontario Antisemitic Criminals,' alongside mugshots and bail conditions, with a warning: 'Don't Want to be on this List? Obey the Law!' The campaign also included slides stating, 'We call the October 7, 2023, Mass Rape Attacks in Israel Mass Rape Attacks. We report October 7 Rape Deniers to professional regulatory bodies.' This follows community outrage over inflammatory rhetoric at weekly protests.

Finally, commentary reflects on a 'new era of antisemitism' and 'antisemitic hatred' that makes many Jews feel vulnerable, drawing parallels not to 1930s Germany, but to late 19th-century Western Europe during the Dreyfus Affair. The analysis argues that rabbis bear a critical responsibility to lead the Jewish community through this onslaught, combatting negative myths about Israel, educating about Zionism and its historical context, and supporting Israel's right to defend itself. It suggests that rabbis should have the courage to speak truth, even when it involves calling out Jews who side with Israel's enemies.

In policy commentary, Keith Sonderling praised the Trump administration for 'fighting back' against antisemitism in workplaces.

I'm Rachel Adler, thank you for listening to Antisemitism Watch.

This report was generated with AI assistance and may contain inaccuracies. Please verify important details with primary sources.

📚 Sources

Sources:
- vinnews.com: https://vinnews.com/2026/08/31/surveillance-video-captures-assault-of-hasidic-man-in-midtown/
- fox35orlando.com: https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/antisemitic-symbols-gestures-displayed-during-boxing-event-orlandos-kia-center
- nytimes.com: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/01/us/politics/vance-republican-jewish-committee.html
- orlandosentinel.com: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/08/31/vance-privately-addresses-republican-jewish-coalition-during-tension-over-israel-and-antisemitism/
- ejewishphilanthropy.com: https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/memo-to-dana-nessel-jewish-safety-and-jewish-survival-are-sacrosanct/
- jpost.com: https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-907167
- gpb.org: https://www.gpb.org/news/2026/09/01/amid-backlash-museum-cancels-planned-met-gala-exhibit-on-fashion-designer-john
- cbsnews.com: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/john-galliano-met-gala-exhibit-dropped-backlash/
- primetimer.com: https://www.primetimer.com/news/hasan-piker-notes-potential-for-legal-action-against-fox-news-for-labeling-him-anti-semite
- youtube.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wosRlW7peyU
- jpost.com: https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-907030
- jpost.com: https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-907163