Queens leaders condemn anti-Semitic attack in Rego Park

Councilmember Karen Koslowitz and other leaders condemned a recent anti-Semitic attack in the Rego Park. Eagle file photo by Walter Karling

By Rachel Vick

Queens lawmakers and community leaders are speaking out following an anti-Semitic attack in Rego Park Saturday night.

A 56-year-old Jewish resident was heading to synagogue around 7 p.m. on April 17 when a man confronted him outside Neighborhood Chemists Pharmacy at 66-02 99th St. The attacker used anti-Semitic hate speech before allegedly kicking the victim, police said.

The attack followed the arrest last week of a man charged with scrawling a swastika outside Rego Park Jewish Center.

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng, Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky, Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi, and Councilmember Karen Koslowitz condemned the hatred in a joint statement Tuesday.

“This occurred only days after another individual was apprehended by the 112th Precinct in relation to an anti-Semitic act of vandalism that took place outside of the Rego Park Jewish Center this February,” the lawmakers said. "We stand united with our neighbors in condemning these abhorrent, bigoted anti-Semitic attacks upon our fellow residents.”

The 112th Precinct and NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force are investigating the attack.