Man Physically Assaulted By Pro-Palestinians After Nets-Maccabi Game Outside Barclays Center
The NYPD hate Crime Task Force is investigating a bias attack, after a man was pyscially attacked by pro-Palestinian supporters in Brooklyn Tuesday night, following the Nets – Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball game at Barclay’s Center, according to a press release sent out by Kings Bay Y.
Leonard Petlakh, Executive Director of the Kings Bay Y, says he was physically attacked by anti-Israel protesters while exiting the Barclays Center arena with his children and friends.
As the anti-Israel demonstrators chanted “Free Palestine” and “Your people are murderers,” one of them struck Petlakh in the face. Petlakh was taken to Methodist Hospital, where he was treated for a fractured nose and lacerations under his eye that required eight stitches. The attacker fled the scene.
The NYPD’s Hate Crimes Unit is investigating the incident, which occurred in the presence of hundreds of people and was caught on camera.
In a statement, Petlakh said he hoped that the “vile anti-Semitic hooligans masquerading as anti-Zionists will be caught soon.” He also called for a more active police presence at venues that host Israel-related events and noted that the anti-Israel protest was publicized days in advance.
“I am upset that my children witnessed this unprecedented violence, but I hope it sends a strong message to them to stand up for their values as proud Americans and as those who will eventually volunteer to serve in the Israel Defense Forces,” Petlakh said.
UPDATED: Assemblyman Cymbrowitz released a statement Friday afternoon expressing his outrage that it “was allowed to occur in the first place.”
“This was not a group of protestors who showed up unannounced and took everyone by surprise. This protest was expected and received significant media attention days before the event took place,” Cymbrowitz said in a statement. “Given the advance notice, both the NYPD and Barclay’s should have been ready with enough personnel and security measures to keep the protestors apart from the attendees and avoid even the possibility of violence.”
“It’s terrible that Leonard’s children had to witness their father being brutally attacked — and it’s equally outrageous that a violent display of anti-Semitism wasn’t stopped before it got out of control,” he said.
Council Member Treyger released the following statement: “I am outraged about reports that Kings Bay Y Director Leonard Petlakh was attacked in front of his family and friends while leaving Barclay’s Center last night following the Brooklyn Nets – Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball game. I am calling on the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Unit to fully investigate this troubling assault and to commit additional resources due to the alarming spike in hate crimes this year. We must prosecute those responsible for this disgusting incident in order to send a clear message that we will not tolerate hateful actions or attacks against any member of our community.”
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