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A hate crime investigation is underway following a troubling incident on a Brooklyn subway. On Monday night, two young Jewish men were reportedly assaulted on a southbound Number Three train at the Nostrand Avenue station. The men, who study at the Chabad World Headquarters in Crown Heights, were returning from a Hanukkah celebration in Union Square when the incident occurred.
According to the NYPD, the victims were approached by two unidentified individuals who began shouting antisemitic slurs. One suspect allegedly grabbed a victim by the collar, pointed his finger like a gun at the victim's head, and threatened his life. The altercation was captured on video, which has circulated widely on social media.
Despite the serious nature of the threats, the NYPD stated that they currently lack evidence to classify the incident as a bias-based attack, suggesting it may have started over a dispute about seats. However, the Justice Department is also investigating, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams has condemned the act, emphasizing that hate and antisemitism have no place in the city.
The incident has sparked concern within the Jewish community, with many expressing fear over rising antisemitic incidents. The Metropolitan Transit Authority has also denounced the behavior, calling it deeply offensive to New Yorkers. As the investigation continues, officials are reviewing video footage from the subway to identify the suspects involved.
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