Mayor Eric Adams on Monday visited the historic Manhattan synagogue that was recently targeted by vile anti-Israel protesters – saying “we show up” in the face of hate.
Hizzoner was back in the Big Apple following a nine-day trip abroad and quickly paid a visit to the Park East Synagogue on the Upper East Side where a hateful group gathered last week, chanting “globalize the intifada” and “death to the IDF.”
“We don’t back down in the face of hate – we show up,” Adams said on X.
The mayor said he stood “proudly” with Rabbi Arthur Schneier and other temple members to “celebrate Jewish life and reaffirm our unshakable bond with Israel after last week’s antisemitic protests.”
“Neither antisemitism nor ANY other form of hate has any place in NYC,” he wrote.
Photos posted online showed the outgoing Democrat posing with Schneier and also talking with various synagogue members.
Some 200 protesters organized by the anti-Israel activist group Pal-Awda NY/NJ group descended on the house of worship Wednesday night, heckling attendees entering Park East for an event held by a Zionist organization that helps Jewish people immigrate to Israel.
“It is our duty to make them think twice before holding these events,” one protest leader told the crowd, before repeating, “We need to make them scared.”
Adams was out of town at the time — but his First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro Sunday he was peeved that the NYPD didn’t keep the hate-spewing demonstrators away from the religious institution’s entrance.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch issued an apology to the congregation over the weekend, admitting the department fell short of minimizing the chaos around the protest.
A high-ranking Trump administration official said Monday the feds were getting involved.
“New York may have failed to protect these congregants, but our the [Department of Justice] most assuredly will not!” Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillton wrote on X.
“Multiple federal civil rights and criminal statutes are implicated in these events,” the post said. “Full investigation underway, with [the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York]! Every house of worship in America is sacred!”
Adams’ stop at the synagogue marked his return to the city after he left for Israel on Nov. 14 and then flew to Uzbekistan for several days.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams quipped Friday that he was ready to lead Gotham if Adams wasn’t back soon – leading Hizzoner to mock the stunt on X.
The city charter notes the public advocate will take over the top office if the mayor is absent for nine straight days – but Adams returned home Sunday.
“One has to feel a bit bad watching a four-year attempt to become Mayor by every means except winning over the voters finally crash and burn,” Adams said in his post. “I genuinely hope you find some peace and happiness moving forward.”
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