The war between Israel and Hamas is having repercussions right here in New York City.
Protests and rallies by supporters of Israel and Palestine are fueling a worrying anti-Arab rhetoric both on the streets and online.
Community leaders say the anti-Arab and anti-Muslim sentiment hasn’t been this high since the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001.
“I don’t recall a time since the immediate aftermath of post 9/11 where the anti-terror rhetoric has been this high,” said Abed Ayoub, National Executive Director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC.)
Mayor Eric Adams is also facing criticism for his comments on a pro-Palestinian rally in New York. In a tweet, he called protesters a “group of extremists” whose participation in the rally showed “support for terrorism.”
“Sadly, we have political leaders fanning the flames and targeting peaceful protesters,” said Edward Ahmed Mitchell, Deputy Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR.)
Reporting and editing: Naoufal Enhari.
Videography: Naoufal Enhari & Brianna Knibbs
