Brooklyn Israeli Restaurant Vandalized with Anti-Semitic Graffiti: Owner Takes a Stand Against Hate

Brooklyn Israeli Restaurant Vandalized with Anti-Semitic Graffiti: Owner Takes a Stand Against Hate

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a shocking act of hate, vandals targeted Miriam, a well-loved Israeli restaurant in Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood, covering its windows and doors with anti-Semitic messages. According to a report that appeared on Sunday in The New York Post, the hateful slogans included “Genocide cuisine” and “Israel steals culture,” both painted in bold red letters. The restaurant’s front door and stoop were splashed with red paint, seemingly meant to mimic spilled blood, in what was a chilling display of anti-Israel sentiment.

Security footage obtained by The New York Post showed the attack occurring just before 3 a.m. on Sunday morning. Three individuals, their faces obscured by hoods and masks, approached the restaurant under the cover of darkness. While one acted as a lookout, the other two defaced the windows and fled the scene moments later.

The restaurant’s owner, Rafael Hasid, expressed both sadness and defiance in response to the attack. “It’s just a sad thing,” he told The New York Post. “I don’t know why people are so angry about a restaurant in Brooklyn. I’m Israeli—like, ‘I’m sorry I was born in Israel?’ I’m not stealing anybody’s food, not doing anything. I don’t know what people want from me. What did I do?”

This incident is not the first time Hasid’s business has been targeted. About two years ago, the Miriam location on the Upper West Side of Manhattan was also vandalized by anti-Israel agitators, according to the information in The New York Post report. Hasid has also faced threatening phone calls and an influx of negative online reviews from people who have never visited his restaurants.

Despite the hateful attack, Hasid made the bold decision to leave the graffiti visible rather than cleaning it off immediately. He explained to The New York Post that he wants the community to confront the hatred head-on. “I want people to see it. I don’t want to wash it right away. People should see that things like this happen,” he said.

Hasid’s stand against hate has been met with an outpouring of support from the local community. Many patrons have stopped by the restaurant to offer condolences, donate to help with the cleanup, or simply show their solidarity by ordering a meal. Even New York Senator Chuck Schumer visited Miriam to place an order and express his support, The New York Post reported.

The attack is part of a broader rise in anti-Semitic incidents across New York City. The New York Post indicated that these incidents have spiked significantly since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which reignited global tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Police are actively investigating the vandalism at Miriam and have stationed officers nearby to provide additional security. Meanwhile, Hasid remains steadfast in his decision to shed light on the hatred his restaurant has endured. By leaving the graffiti up, he hopes to inspire dialogue and awareness within the community.

As The New York Post report highlighted, the owner’s resilience in the face of repeated attacks serves as a powerful reminder of the strength and solidarity needed to combat anti-Semitism. The community’s response, with both local patrons and high-profile figures stepping in to show support, underscores the importance of standing together against hate.