Four yellow school buses sat parked outside a Williamsburg yeshiva on Monday morning, but they weren’t just dirty. They were covered in black spray paint, featuring swastikas and vile slurs like “F–k Jews” and “F–k Israel.” Someone affiliated with the United Talmudical Academy of Williamsburg found the damage around 9:50 a.m. and immediately called 911. This isn’t just vandalism; it’s a direct attack on the kids who ride those buses.
The NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force is now leading the investigation, though no arrests have been made yet, according to amNewYork. Officers from the 90th Precinct responded just before 10 a.m. on Monday to report criminal mischief near Bedford Avenue. Photos posted by Williamsburg News show the hateful messages scrawled right on top of Hebrew lettering identifying the bus operators. The school had to evacuate out of an abundance of caution while police swept the area with K9 teams.
The Rising Tide of Hate
This incident didn’t happen in a vacuum. Less than a week prior, the identical yeshiva faced a bomb threat placed by phone on Oct. 9. Minutes after a comparable threat struck the Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School, that danger arrived. The pattern is clear, and the numbers back up the fear. According to NYPD data released last month, hate crimes jumped nearly 13% in the first nine months of the year. Anti-Jewish incidents alone accounted for 52.9% of all confirmed hate crimes, even though Jewish New Yorkers make up only about 10% of the population.
Officials Condemn the Attack
Local leaders are rightfully furious about what happened to these children. Antisemitic incidents that have risen over the decade must cease.
The community is on edge, and the lack of immediate suspects is frustrating parents who just want their kids safe.
A City Under Pressure
As a lifelong New Yorker, I know that safety isn’t just a policy; it’s the foundation of this city. When you target school buses, you target the future. The fact that these symbols were spray-painted in broad daylight shows a brazenness that we cannot accept. Mayor Mamdani’s administration has faced criticism for its handling of various safety issues, and this brazen hate crime adds to the pressure. While officials say they are working with the Shomrim and NYPD, families need results, not just statements.
We need to stop this rise in antisemitism before it gets worse. The city is watching, and the community is waiting. For details about Monday’s event, Crime Stoppers may be reached at 800-577-TIPS.
This is opinion and commentary from the RapForMayor team.
