By Thomas Tracy
Anti-Semitic incidents increased in Brooklyn last year, but not by a startling degree, according to a report released by the Anti-Defamation League this week. Upon completing their audit of criminal and non-criminal acts of violence, harassment and intimidation against Jews, the watchdog group identified 70 anti-Semitic incidents in Brooklyn – up three from 2006. The incidents include the headline-grabbing swastika smears across Brooklyn Heights by Ivaylo Ivanov and Pavel Andreenko’s swastika spree in Homecrest along Avenue U last year. Both men have since been arrested for their crimes Most of the anti-Semitic attacks in Brooklyn involved swastikas and other anti-Jewish graffiti, the study shows. Anti-Semitic vandalism increased dramatically statewide in 2007, from 165 incidents to 239 statewide. The audit shows that New York State continues to rank first in the nation for anti-Semitic incidents, with nearly one in four of them occurring here. “It is profoundly disturbing to see such a high number of serious, and at times violent, attacks against Jews and Jewish institutions in one of the world’s most diverse cities, particularly since this phenomenon runs counter to the declining national trend,” said Joel J. Levy, ADL New York Regional Director. “Haters often reach for symbols that are most hurtful,” added David S. Hershberg, ADL New York Regional Board Chair. “The swastika, with its association to the Nazi regime and the Holocaust, sends a powerful and offensive message, and remains a favorite choice for anti-Semites.” While Brooklyn saw an increase in anti-Semitic incidents, both Manhattan and Queens saw a more drastic uptick in harassment, vandalism in violence. Residents in the Bronx saw a decrease while the number of incidents in Staten Island remained the same. Ivanov, who is Jewish, was arrested for not only spraying nearly 20 swastikas on the steps of two synagogues and several homes on Remsen Street, but also for having several guns and explosives in his home – which was just down the block from where the acts of vandalism were committed, police alleged. Andreenko was arrested for allegedly spray-painting swastikas on 11 buildings in Homecrest between December 19 and December 23. After each incident, he called 911 and reported the vandalism, leaving the blame on his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend, who is Jewish. Other incidents reflected in the audit included a December beating on the Q train in which a group of Gerritsen Beach residents attacked three Jewish residents after they wished them a “Happy Chanukah.” ADL statistics show that there was a 188 percent increase in anti-Semitic incidents statewide from September 1 – October 31, 2007, compared with the same period in 2006. The number jumped from 35 to 101 last year. “There was a tremendous spike in anti-Semitic activity occurring during a two-month period surrounding the Jewish High Holidays,” Levy said. “We hoped our community had started to move past this type of senseless targeting.” The results of the audit were tabulated from both police reports as well as victim testimony given directly to the ADL. NYPD officials admitted that bias crimes had increased by 25 percent near the close of 2007. Most of the incidents were sparked by major events to take place in the city, such as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s recent trip to New York to speak at Columbia University.
