A New York City man is facing a string of charges including attempted murder as a hate crime after driving on the pavement in an alleged attempt to hit five Jewish men outside a yeshiva in Brooklyn.
The New York City Police Department alleges that Ashgar Ali, 58, for Flatbush, was driving a 2011 white Ford Crown Victoria on Wednesday morning when he turned onto a local street and began “making antisemitic statements. He proceeded to drive on the sidewalk attempting to strike pedestrians, a 41-year-old male, a 44-year-old male and three 18-year-old males.”
The incident, which was captured on surveillance camera, happened outside the Mesivta NachlasYakov Vien Yeshiva in East Flatbush about 2 ½ miles from Ali’s home in the Midwood section of Brooklyn.
According to media reports, Ali is a Pakistani immigrant who allegedly shouted “I’m gonna kill all the Jews” to some yeshiva students who had been standing outside the building before trying to hit them with his car.
Among the many charges Ali is facing are attempted murder as a hate crime in the second degree, attempted assault as a hate crime with intent to cause serious physical injury, attempted vehicular assault in the first degree and menacing as a hate crime in the third degree.
“This was a horrific antisemitic attack that could have caused serious injury or G-d forbid death of an innocent student whose only crime was being Jewish,” said Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, director of New York government relations at the Agudath Israel of America. “We thank the NYPD for apprehending the perpetrator of this act and urge that he be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
The incident drew responses from a number of local politicians including New York GovernorKathy Hochul who tweeted, “The New York State Police are closely coordinating with the NYPD on the investigation of this incident. We are thankful that this individual is in police custody. Hate crimes have no place in New York and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
New York City Council Member Farah Louis, whose district includes the area where the yeshiva is located, posted a statement saying she is appalled by the “senseless act of bigotry and violence” and that Ali’s attempt to “mow down students” is reprehensible and will not be tolerated.”
“We must address the rising trend of antisemitism to prevent such hateful acts in the future,” she added.
According to the NYPD in April 2024, the most recent figures available, there were 32 “anti-Jewish acts,” double the number from the year before. Overall, anti-Jewish incidents are up 48 percent thus far in 2024 with 111 incidents reported.
