Hate Crimes
After recording 34 hate crimes in February, the month of the change, the NYPD says that there had been 51 hate crimes in March as of March 29.
The charges come with a maximum sentence of 15 years and up to $500,000 in fines.
An Islamist group that had claimed responsibility for previous attacks on Jews in Europe was said to also be behind the one in Flanders.
Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya said it had torched Jewish ambulances as part of wider campaign.
“We unequivocally denounce this hateful act in the strongest possible terms,” Irvington officials said.
Four Hatzolah vehicles were torched in Golders Green, prompting police to open a hate crime probe.
Michael Specht, Ramapo Town Council supervisor, called the incident “very disturbing.”
“This could have been the greatest terrorist tragedy in America since 9/11,” Eric Fingerhut, president and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America, told JNS.
“I hope all the folks from Temple Israel know that we’re praying for them,” the U.S. vice president said. “We’re thinking about them.”
“We’re never going to remove evil from the world, but we are going to stand strong against it,” Rabbi Josh Bennett told JNS.
The Nonprofit Security Grant Program “makes it possible for schools and synagogues to harden physical security, and hire and train private security guards,” said Nathan Diament of the OU Advocacy Center.
Sadat Mousa faces multiple charges, including felony vandalism with a hate-crime enhancement, following the Feb. 28 incident.
