NEW YORK—Vandals spray painted the slogan ‘’Free Gaza’’ outside a public sukkah in the Carl Schurz Park in the Yorkville neighborhood of Manhattan, the New York Post reported.
The New York Police’s Hate Crime Task Force is investigating the vandalism as a possible bias incident.
“To come this morning and see this vicious act, insult, there is just no room for this hatred in New York City,” said Rabbi Ben Tzion Krasnianski, of the area’s Chabad chapter.
“Especially on the Upper East Side, which is a beautiful community, especially at the door steps of Gracie Mansion,” Krasnianski said.
Gracie Mansion is the official residence of New York’s Mayor.
A large, public menorah was defaced in the same park in 2015.
“The only response we know, and the way we’ve responded for the last 3,800 years is to respond to darkness with light, to hate with love and to negativity with positivity,” said Krasnianski.
The World Jewish Congress tweeted that it was ‘’shocked and disgusted’’ by the desecration of the sukkah. ‘’This is inexcusable and must be treated seriously. We thank NYPD for its quick attention and hope Jews in NY and worldwide can enjoy the holidays without fear of attack or vandalism,’’ it said.