NYPD Investigates Harassment of Jewish Subway Passengers by Masked Individual

Edited by:  Fern Sidman

The NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating an incident of harassment against Jews on a subway train, as reported on Saturday by The New York Post. The confrontation occurred on June 10 on an uptown train and involved masked individuals who confronted and harassed passengers.

Joshua Savitt, a White Plains lawyer, was returning home after attending an exhibit in downtown Manhattan that memorialized the victims of the October 7 Nova Music Festival terror attack. According to the information provided  in The Post report, while on the train, Savitt noticed two individuals vandalizing the train car’s window with the words “Free Gaza.” Savitt took pictures of the act, which prompted the vandals to confront him and call him a “Zionist,” according to police reports.

The situation escalated when Savitt reported the incident to the police after The Post identified one of the individuals involved as Christopher Khamis Victor Husary. Husary, a 36-year-old perennial protester with a bicoastal lifestyle, still resides with his parents in a $1.8 million home in California. As per the information contained in The Post report, Husary was allegedly wearing a Hezbollah shirt and taunted Savitt by saying, “Bro, if you only knew who I was,” while demanding that Savitt stop photographing him.

When confronted by The Post at his parents’ home, Husary admitted to the encounter but denied harassing Savitt. He claimed that Savitt was the aggressor in the situation. Despite Husary’s denial, the NYPD has taken the incident seriously, initiating a probe through its Hate Crimes Task Force.

Joshua Savitt expressed his relief at the NYPD’s response to the incident. “It’s heartening to see the NYPD take harassing and threatening others on the subway seriously, and put in the work to hold people accountable. I’m glad I spoke up, and I encourage others to do the same,”  Savit told The Post. His statement underscores the importance of reporting such incidents to authorities to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable and similar acts of harassment are deterred.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions and the prevalence of anti-Semitic harassment in public spaces. The swift response by the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force reflects a commitment to addressing hate crimes and protecting vulnerable communities. However, The Post reported that the absence of arrests thus far indicates the challenges in prosecuting such cases, particularly when conflicting accounts are presented.

Savitt’s decision to photograph the vandalism and report the incident is a reminder of the critical role that public vigilance and reporting play in combating hate crimes. The identification of Husary was made possible through diligent reporting and follow-up by both the victim and media outlets, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in such cases

As the investigation continues, the outcome of this case will likely have broader implications for how similar incidents are handled in the future. It serves as a stark reminder of the persistent issue of anti-Semitic harassment and the need for continued vigilance and strong law enforcement responses. The incident also highlights the necessity for individuals to report hate crimes and the importance of media in bringing such issues to light.