Two men were stabbed in Manhattan’s Upper West Side on Thursday afternoon in a pair of attacks officials are investigating as potentially antisemitic, leading to the swift arrest of suspect Raul Morales, 51. The New York City Police Department reported that one victim is Jewish and that witnesses heard the assailant yell “Allahu Akbar” during both assaults, prompting an immediate investigation into whether the incidents qualify as hate crimes. The attacks occurred near West 84th Street and Central Park West, an area with a significant Jewish population. While authorities are still determining the precise motive, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch noted the witness and victim statements regarding the perpetrator’s shouts. Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul have condemned the violence, emphasizing the city’s commitment to safety and unity across all faiths, with Hochul vowing to meet such acts with the full force of the law. The NYPD is also reportedly exploring whether a knife or screwdriver was used and considering mental health as a potential factor in the assaults, as antisemitic incidents in New York City have seen a sharp rise.
Adapted from: U.S. News Today on Fox News
