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Kentucky Woman Arrested for Anti-Semitic Hate Crime in Midtown Manhattan
By: Fern Sidman
In a shocking display of anti-Semitic hatred, a Kentucky woman was arrested and charged with a hate crime after verbally and physically assaulting a Hasidic Jewish man inside a Midtown Manhattan office building, as was reported on Saturday evening on the Vois Es Nais web site. The violent tirade, which included explicit support for terrorist organizations and calls for the mass murder of Jews, is the latest incident in a troubling surge of anti-Semitic attacks in New York City.
The suspect, 39-year-old Noora Shalash, was charged with aggravated harassment as a hate crime following the attack, which occurred on Thursday at 950 Third Avenue. Shalash was captured on video berating 46-year-old Seth Bell, a Jewish man who had the misfortune of crossing her path.
The case has drawn widespread condemnation as Jewish communities continue to grapple with the increasing hostility and violence directed at them.
Video footage obtained by authorities paints a disturbing picture of Shalash’s unprovoked aggression. According to the information provided in the VIN News report, as Bell entered the building, he was confronted by Shalash, who launched into a profane and violent tirade, screaming: “F— the Jews, I love Jesus… I demand Jihad! I want ISIS to kill all of you! I am conspiring with Hamas, Palestinian Jihad and with ISIS!”
As she spewed her anti-Semitic vitriol, she physically attacked Bell, striking him multiple times and attempting to kick him, according to police reports.
Bell, who recorded parts of the incident, later told reporters that Shalash’s remarks mirrored classic anti-Semitic rhetoric—blaming individual Jews for global political conflicts.
“She was equating some random Jewish guy with what was going on in the Middle East, which is classic anti-Semitism,” Bell stated, as was indicated in the VIN News report.
Security officers in the building quickly intervened, alerting the police, who arrived on the scene and took Shalash into custody. She was subsequently transported to Bellevue Hospital for a psychological evaluation before facing formal charges.
Despite the violent nature of the attack, Bell confirmed that no one required medical attention following the incident. However, VIN News reported that the assault has left deep concerns within the Jewish community, particularly as it comes amid a growing wave of anti-Semitic violence in New York City.
Shortly after her arrest, an X account identified Shalash as the “director of government affairs” for the Kentucky chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a controversial Muslim advocacy group with a history of ties to extremist rhetoric.
CAIR, however, quickly denied the claim, stating that Shalash had not been affiliated with their Kentucky chapter for five years, as per the report on VIN News. The organization did not provide additional details regarding the nature of her past involvement.
It remains unclear why Shalash was in New York or whether she had prior connections to extremist groups. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether they are investigating potential deeper ties to terrorist organizations.
Shalash’s attack is not an isolated incident—it is part of a disturbing rise in anti-Semitic violence plaguing New York City. VIN News has extensively reported on the growing number of hate crimes targeting Jewish residents, with reports of harassment, vandalism, and physical assaults becoming increasingly frequent.
Recent NYPD data shows a sharp uptick in anti-Semitic hate crimes, particularly following the October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. Jewish New Yorkers have repeatedly sounded the alarm, warning that the city’s failure to crack down on perpetrators is emboldening anti-Semitic violence.
Shalash’s violent outburst, her open endorsement of Hamas and ISIS, and her physical attack on a Jewish man in broad daylight reflect a chilling reality: anti-Semitism is no longer lurking in the shadows—it is on full display.
Shalash was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court on Saturday and faces hate crime charges that could result in a significant sentence if convicted, the VIN News report said. The case will likely serve as a litmus test for how New York handles the growing crisis of anti-Semitic violence.
For Bell and countless other Jewish New Yorkers, the attack serves as a harsh reminder that anti-Jewish hate is a persistent and dangerous threat—one that demands immediate and unwavering action.
As the investigation continues, the Jewish community, and other watchdog organizations, will be closely monitoring the case, ensuring that justice is served and that anti-Semitic violence is met with the full force of the law.
By: Fern Sidman
In a shocking display of anti-Semitic hatred, a Kentucky woman was arrested and charged with a hate crime after verbally and physically assaulting a Hasidic Jewish man inside a Midtown Manhattan office building, as was reported on Saturday evening on the Vois Es Nais web site. The violent tirade, which included explicit support for terrorist organizations and calls for the mass murder of Jews, is the latest incident in a troubling surge of anti-Semitic attacks in New York City.
The suspect, 39-year-old Noora Shalash, was charged with aggravated harassment as a hate crime following the attack, which occurred on Thursday at 950 Third Avenue. Shalash was captured on video berating 46-year-old Seth Bell, a Jewish man who had the misfortune of crossing her path.
The case has drawn widespread condemnation as Jewish communities continue to grapple with the increasing hostility and violence directed at them.
Video footage obtained by authorities paints a disturbing picture of Shalash’s unprovoked aggression. According to the information provided in the VIN News report, as Bell entered the building, he was confronted by Shalash, who launched into a profane and violent tirade, screaming: “F— the Jews, I love Jesus… I demand Jihad! I want ISIS to kill all of you! I am conspiring with Hamas, Palestinian Jihad and with ISIS!”
As she spewed her anti-Semitic vitriol, she physically attacked Bell, striking him multiple times and attempting to kick him, according to police reports.
Bell, who recorded parts of the incident, later told reporters that Shalash’s remarks mirrored classic anti-Semitic rhetoric—blaming individual Jews for global political conflicts.
“She was equating some random Jewish guy with what was going on in the Middle East, which is classic anti-Semitism,” Bell stated, as was indicated in the VIN News report.
Security officers in the building quickly intervened, alerting the police, who arrived on the scene and took Shalash into custody. She was subsequently transported to Bellevue Hospital for a psychological evaluation before facing formal charges.
Despite the violent nature of the attack, Bell confirmed that no one required medical attention following the incident. However, VIN News reported that the assault has left deep concerns within the Jewish community, particularly as it comes amid a growing wave of anti-Semitic violence in New York City.
Shortly after her arrest, an X account identified Shalash as the “director of government affairs” for the Kentucky chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a controversial Muslim advocacy group with a history of ties to extremist rhetoric.
CAIR, however, quickly denied the claim, stating that Shalash had not been affiliated with their Kentucky chapter for five years, as per the report on VIN News. The organization did not provide additional details regarding the nature of her past involvement.
It remains unclear why Shalash was in New York or whether she had prior connections to extremist groups. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether they are investigating potential deeper ties to terrorist organizations.
Shalash’s attack is not an isolated incident—it is part of a disturbing rise in anti-Semitic violence plaguing New York City. VIN News has extensively reported on the growing number of hate crimes targeting Jewish residents, with reports of harassment, vandalism, and physical assaults becoming increasingly frequent.
Recent NYPD data shows a sharp uptick in anti-Semitic hate crimes, particularly following the October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. Jewish New Yorkers have repeatedly sounded the alarm, warning that the city’s failure to crack down on perpetrators is emboldening anti-Semitic violence.
Shalash’s violent outburst, her open endorsement of Hamas and ISIS, and her physical attack on a Jewish man in broad daylight reflect a chilling reality: anti-Semitism is no longer lurking in the shadows—it is on full display.
Shalash was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court on Saturday and faces hate crime charges that could result in a significant sentence if convicted, the VIN News report said. The case will likely serve as a litmus test for how New York handles the growing crisis of anti-Semitic violence.
For Bell and countless other Jewish New Yorkers, the attack serves as a harsh reminder that anti-Jewish hate is a persistent and dangerous threat—one that demands immediate and unwavering action.
As the investigation continues, the Jewish community, and other watchdog organizations, will be closely monitoring the case, ensuring that justice is served and that anti-Semitic violence is met with the full force of the law.
