SPRING VALLEY, N.Y. (WCBS 880) -- The Facebook page of the Republican Party in Rockland County caught the attention of New York's top prosecutor with a video message against a multi-family development that has been deemed as anti-Semitic by members of the Jewish community and others.
The video, which has since been removed from the Rockland County Republican Party Facebook page, featured graphics and ominous music, warning "A storm is brewing — overdevelopment."
The video appeared to point the finger at the county's Hasidic Jewish community without actually naming it.
State Attorney General Letitia James conedmned the video, calling it "despicable" and "deeply disturbing." She demanded it be removed.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo also condemned the video.
"The video created and shared on social media by the Rockland County Republican Committee is not just disturbing, it is disgusting. This type of attack and incitement against the Hasidic community is the very definition of discrimination and anti-Semitism," Cuomo said. "There is no excuse for anti-Semitism masquerading as concerns over zoning or development. While this video has since been removed, its impact will still be felt by the members of the Jewish community targeted by their own neighbors."
The video accused county Legislator Aaron Weider, who is Hasidic, and his "Ramapo bloc" of plotting a takeover.
"Criticizing overdevelopment is a very legitimate issue, but when you sprinkle it with an us vs. them to single out a certain ethnic group it becomes very toxic and indeed it is anti-Semitic," Weider told WCBS 880.
Recently, tensions flared over a proposed Hasidic enclave on 27-acres of land on the Clarkstown-Spring Valley border.
A Republican source insists this is not about religion. There's been longstanding concern about overdevelopment and zoning violations in Rockland County. As WCBS 880's Sean Adams reports, the official asks where has the attorney general been as the county has been fighting corruption and building abuses in Ramapo.
Rockland County Executive Ed Day determined the content was factual, but the tone and undercurrent were unacceptable. He requested that his party remove the video.