In a disturbing turn of events, New York City witnessed a spate of anti-Semitic vandalism and threats as a protest related to the war in Gaza took place early Wednesday. The Upper East Side neighborhood was particularly affected, with the Palestinian Mission to the United Nations being vandalized and the streets littered with leaflets covered in red paint. The vandalism also extended to other parts of the city, including the homes of prominent Jewish figures and a shocking incident on a crowded subway car.

The New York City Police Department responded swiftly to the reports of vandalism at the Palestinian Mission on 65th Street. Officers arrived at the scene to find the street strewn with pamphlets soaked in red paint, symbolizing blood, and condemning the Palestinian Authority for its alleged close ties with Israel and the United States.

Witnesses recounted that approximately 15 protesters drove up in a U-Haul truck and began demonstrating outside the Palestinian Mission before hastily retreating back into their vehicle and leaving the scene.

Furthermore, the protest and subsequent acts of vandalism occurred just one day after a major demonstration against the war in Gaza near a new exhibit in lower Manhattan. The exhibit honored the victims of the tragic Nova Festival attack in Israel, which claimed the lives of 364 concertgoers. During the protest, Palestinian and Hamas military flags, as well as the flag of Hezbollah, were prominently displayed. Some protesters even attempted to storm the exhibit while grieving relatives were inside.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who attended the exhibit, condemned the actions of the protesters, emphasizing that such behavior would not be tolerated in the city for any reason. Mayor Adams declared the acts as "overt, unacceptable antisemitism" and stressed that they were crimes, not acts of peaceful protest or free speech.

Prominent figures and officials voiced their outrage at the wave of vandalism and antisemitic behavior. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander expressed his deep concern, describing the perpetrators as "cowards" who were crossing the line into antisemitism, undermining the cause they claimed to support. The Brooklyn Museum, targeted in the attacks, also issued a statement expressing their distress over the incidents.

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York voiced his condemnation of the protest at the Nova Festival exhibit during a speech on the Senate floor, expressing his shock at the depth to which humanity could sink.

As investigations into the acts of vandalism and threats continue, the NYPD is reviewing security footage to identify those responsible. Authorities are determined to hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions.

New York City remains resilient and united against acts of hatred and bigotry. Mayor Adams and other city officials have reaffirmed that such incidents do not reflect the true spirit of the metropolis, emphasizing that all residents deserve to live in safety, regardless of their identity or religion.