A New York City deli was vandalized with a swastika in an anti-Semitic attack that came after the eatery posted pro-Israel content on their social media.
The owner of 2nd Avenue Deli told The Post that a tenant of the Upper East Side building informed him that the store had been defaced with symbols of hate.
“This morning, we saw it,” Lebewohl said outside the restaurant. “It was horrible. It makes me sad.
“It’s sad that people only feel the need to say they hate Jews in 2023. People can be open about it. The Jew-hatred is in it now people just feel more empowered to say it.”
It’s the first time Lebewohl has had a hate symbol plastered on his building, but he said he’s “always prepared for that to happen.”
Lebewohl, who owns the building, is worried about hanging Israeli and American flags in his windows because he’s worried people will “come throw rocks in front of my store.”
He was upset about the prospect of vandalism.
“It’s a sad thing to say that if I’m going to hang two flags in my window in New York City that someone would feel the need to vandalize my property,” he said.
Deli lamented the hateful damage in a post on its Instagram page.
“Thank you for reminding us that we are on the right side of history,” read the message alongside a picture of Nazi symbols with the words “homeland security” and “Israel pride.”
Manhattan’s 2nd Avenue Deli was notified by tenants living in the apartment above their Upper East Side store that it had been defaced with a swastika, owner Jeremy Lebewohl told The Post Tuesday. Matthew McDermott “It’s sad that people only feel the need to say they hate Jews in 2023. People can be open about it. That Jew-hatred is out there now people just feel more empowered to say it,” Lebewohl said outside the restaurant. “It’s horrible. It makes me sad.”
“This is not just a fight over land. This is not just a fight about Israel. This is not just a fight with all the Jews in the world. This is a battle of good vs evil.”
The halal restaurant — which was certified by the James Beard American Classic in 1998 — has featured pro-Israel content on its social media pages, including images of the country’s flag, since the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel.
“We stand with Israel. We stand against the obvious evil that has once again emerged today,” the company wrote on the day of the attack.
This is the first time Lebewohl has had a swastika plastered on his building, but he said he’s “always ready for that to happen.” The NYPD is investigating the incident.Matthew McDermott
But Lebewohl said he has been “careful not to be provocative” to protect the store.
Since the outbreak of violence, the company has moved away from its usual content highlighting its food and drinks to post updates about the war and the violence taking place, particularly highlighting the deaths of children.
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“I will never rejoice, God forbid, in the death of Palestinian civilians,” Lebewohl said. “But there is a big difference between saying that all civilians should be protected when you have a group of people who are deliberately killing, maiming, butchering civilians.
“Everyone should be able to say black and white, teenage girls are raped, babies are killed in front of their parents, no context needed, everyone should be able to say clearly that it’s horrible.”
The halal restaurant – which was certified as a James Beard American Classic in 1998 – had flooded its social media pages with pro-Israel content, including the country’s flag on October 7, when the war broke out. But Lebewohl said he has been “careful not to be provocative” to protect the store. Matthew McDermott
Jeffrey Haberman, 74, who sometimes eats at the deli, said the graffiti was “reprehensible” and “vile.”
Haberman said in the past month, he has learned of three synagogues that have been vandalized, including the one he attends, Or Zarua. He said he was not worried about his own safety, but the move showed how much influence Hamas has beyond its borders.
“This is not by chance. Hamas has enough reach. People are sending a very clear message that they don’t want Jews here. But if you commit vandalism, it won’t make a difference. We will not leave.”
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2nd Avenue Deli was originally founded in 1954 as an East Village deli on East 10th Street by Lebewohl’s uncle, Abe Lebewohl.
The NYPD said that the act of hate is under investigation.
Nearly 3,000 people have died in the Gaza Strip, while nearly 10,000 have been injured, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. Almost two thirds of those who have died are children.
Another 1,200 are believed to be buried under the rubble.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
