Anti-Zionist Mob Leader on NYC Subway Arrested After Weeks Long Manhunt

Anti-Zionist Mob Leader on NYC Subway Arrested After Weeks Long Manhunt

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a significant development following a weeks-long manhunt, Anas Saleh, a 24-year-old resident of Staten Island, was arrested on Wednesday. According to the information provided in a report on Wednesday in the New York Post, Saleh turned himself in to authorities around 9:30 a.m. at the NYPD’s Transit Bureau District 2 in Lower Manhattan, accompanied by his attorney. His surrender followed the NYPD’s release of a wanted poster last week that prominently displayed his image in connection to a hate-filled incident at Manhattan’s Union Square subway station.

The incident that sparked the manhunt occurred when Saleh allegedly stormed a subway car and demanded that “Zionists” raise their hands, as was reported by The Post. This act of coercion was perceived as a direct threat to Jewish individuals and heightened tensions within the community. The event was part of a broader series of anti-Israel protests, reflecting the ongoing and deeply entrenched hatred for Israel and Jews that takes a prominent place in the organizations that sponsor such demonstrations.

As Saleh left the NYPD’s Transit Bureau District 2, he was seen wearing a face mask and was flanked by several individuals who attempted to shield him from press photographers using scarves and black umbrellas, as per the information in The Post report. This scene underscored the high-profile nature of the case and the public interest it had generated.

Saleh, who is believed to have worked as a research technician at Weill Cornell Medicine’s Rhee Lab, was quickly identified on social media as the alleged perpetrator. Jewish activist groups played a crucial role in circulating his image online, which aided in tracking him down, the Post report noted. This case highlights the increasing role of social media in modern law enforcement and community activism.

Robert Harrington, the dean of Weill Cornell Medicine, addressed the incident in a letter to Cornell employees. Although he did not mention Saleh by name or his arrest, Harrington condemned anti-Semitism unequivocally. “We condemn anti-Semitism in the strongest possible terms. Hate speech or actions of any kind, whether anti-Semitic or Islamophobic, are not tolerated by our community,” Harrington stated, as was indicated in The Post report.

“raise your hand if you’re a Zionist!
It’s your chance to get out.
Okay, no Zionists, we’re good”

NYC Subway
June 2024 pic.twitter.com/MNYHEUXKqG

— Hamas Atrocities (@HamasAtrocities) June 14, 2024

He further emphasized that the institution was cooperating fully with the NYPD investigation and conducting its own internal review. The report in The Post said Harrington assured that appropriate action would be taken if any employee was confirmed to be involved in the incident.

As of Wednesday, it was not immediately clear whether Saleh was still employed at Weill Cornell Medicine. Notably, his biography page on the lab’s website had been deleted, suggesting a possible distancing by the institution in light of the allegations, the report added.

The chain of events began on June 10, when Saleh allegedly boarded a southbound 5 train at Union Square and began chanting provocative statements. The Post report said that he demanded passengers to “Raise your hands if you’re a Zionist,” followed by, “repeat after me, this is your chance to get out.” They brandished a banner reading “Long live October 7” and made deeply disturbing statements, including one protester who wished for the return of Hitler to “wipe out” the Jews, according to The Post report. These actions were widely condemned and highlighted the alarming rise of public anti-Semitism in New York City.

Following the incident, Saleh seemingly attempted to erase his digital footprint by scrubbing his social media presence. Despite these efforts, a wanted poster released by the NYPD, along with active social media campaigns by Jewish activist groups, played a crucial role in his identification and eventual surrender, according to the information provided in The Post report.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams was quick to condemn the incident. In a statement, he labeled Saleh’s actions as “vile,” reinforcing New York City’s commitment to free speech while underscoring the city’s intolerance for lawlessness. “Threatening New Yorkers based on their beliefs is not only vile, it’s illegal and will not be tolerated,” a City Hall spokesperson declared, as was affirmed in The Post report.

Saleh has been charged with attempted coercion, a serious offense that could result in up to a year in prison if he is convicted, as was explained in The Post report. He is scheduled to appear in court on July 1, where he will face the charges brought against him. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the NYPD have been actively investigating the incident. DA Alvin Bragg’s office has encouraged anyone with additional information to come forward, underscoring the ongoing nature of the investigation.

The same night as Saleh’s alleged subway incident, a mob of anti-Israel protesters disrupted an exhibit dedicated to the memory of those who were brutally murdered and those abducted by Hamas terrorists at the Nova Music Festival in southern Israel on October 7th. The powerful exhibition is located in the heart of Manhattan’s financial district, namely the Wall Street area.  The timing and nature of these events highlight the persistent and volatile tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the impact on diaspora communities.

The arrest of Saleh drew reactions from various sectors, reflecting a collective stance against hate crimes. Liora Rez, executive director of StopAntisemitism, expressed gratitude towards the NYPD for holding Saleh accountable. “Harassment and coercion are crimes. We are thankful that the NYPD is acting to hold this perpetrator accountable for his actions,” Rez stated, The Post report said. She emphasized the responsibility of the district attorney to prosecute Saleh to the fullest extent of the law, a sentiment echoed by many New Yorkers.

The Post also reported that Rez highlighted the broader implications of anti-Semitism, stating, “The public anti-Semitism we are seeing on the subways and streets of New York City does not only affect Jews. Anti-Semitism degrades the lives of all Americans here in New York and is antithetical to our values as a nation.” Her words resonated with the city’s diverse population, underscoring that hate crimes against any group undermine the fabric of society as a whole.

In the Staten Island neighborhood where Saleh’s family resides, the arrest came as a shock. Neighbors described the family as kind and helpful, struggling to reconcile their experiences with the allegations against Saleh. “All I know is they’re really nice and I find it hard to believe,” one woman commented, highlighting the dichotomy between Saleh’s public actions and his private family life, as was indicated in The Post report. Another neighbor shared similar sentiments with The Post, noting, “They’ve been here for less than a year. They’ve been nice. They always wave hello.” These reactions reflect the community’s surprise and the complex nature of individual identity versus public actions.

This case serves as a crucial test of the city’s legal and social frameworks in dealing with hate crimes.