NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Gov. Kathy Hochul met with Israel's consul general in New York Thursday, the day after a 58-year-old man was arrested and charged with a slew of charges -- including attempted murder in the second degree as a hate crime -- after he uttered antisemitic threats and jumped the curb with his Ford Crown Victoria outside a Brooklyn yeshiva with the intention of striking people.
"Today I met with the Governor of New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul. I thanked her for her consistent and unwavering support for the State of Israel and the Jewish communities," ambassador Ofir Akunis, who assumed his post on May 1, posted on X Thursday afternoon. "We discussed, among other topics, a variety of ways to ensure the safety of students on campuses."
Hochul posted on X of Wednesday's incident, which took place outside Canarsie's Mesivta Nachlas Yakov School around 11:25 a.m., "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."
The consulate posted video of suspect Asghar Ali jumping the curb, as men wearing yarmulkes and long black garments -- traditional Orthodox Jewish attire -- run for safety. "NYC driver attempts to run over Jewish students, shouting, 'I’m gonna kill all the Jews.' The increasing rise in antisemitic attacks globally since 10/7 is deeply disturbing."
Mayor Eric Adams told 1010 WINS on Wednesday that he saw video of the incident, calling it "extremely disturbing."
Adams added that the suspect is "emotionally disturbed" and praised the NYPD for its "quick apprehension."