NY Taking Action to Combat Anti-Semitic Crimes: Cuomo

NEW YORK — Gov. Andrew Cuomo visited the Sidney Albert Albany JCC Wednesday morning to highlight actions the state will take to combat anti-Semitic crimes.

Speaking at a Jewish Community Center that has been twice targeted (bomb threats on Jan. 9 and 18), he said it was specially repugnant because so many of the targeted Jewish Community Centers run day care and pre-kindergarden programs.

"When you talk of really ugly, reprehensible behavior, I don't think there's anything worse than racist activity, bigoted activity and targeting facilities that serve our children," he said.

The rash of anti-Semitism that has spread across the U.S. and Canada, Cuomo said, includes bomb threats, desecration of Jewish cemeteries, swastikas and racist slogans.

"We’ve seen it in Tarrytown, Staten Island, Manhattan, Syracuse, New Rochelle, Buffalo, and Plainview on Long Island," he said. "It doesn’t seem like it’s getting better. If anything, it seems like it’s getting worse."

Monday was the fifth wave of bomb threats against Jewish community centers around the country since the beginning of the year.

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Cuomo said all the repugnant and cowardly acts reflect a basic misunderstanding.

"This state was founded on the premise of equality and the promise of freedom from discrimination. We are all immigrants in this state," he said. "We are all from someplace else, unless you are a Native American, and the operating principle is that we open our arms and we embrace all."

The New York State Police have been given additional resources, the governor said, and a special investigative unit has been put together under Superintendent George Beach to work with the FBI and local police. Also the state has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to a prosecution.

In addition, Cuomo said, there is $25 million in his state budget proposal for security for facilities such as this one so they can have the resources to provide security on their own.

"But I also want to assure the Jewish community that the people of the state of New York speak with one voice in condemning this activity," he said. "And the people of the state of New York all stand in solidarity with the Jewish community. The Jewish community is very important to New York. We're proud to be the largest population of Jewish people outside of Israel. They are an integral part of the community, a part of our history, a big part of our future."

PHOTO: NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo visited classrooms at the Sidney Albert Albany JCC and delivered a speech condemning anti-Semitic threats against JCCs around the country, March 1, 2017/governorandrewcuomo on Flickr