UWS café targeted with anti-Israeli vandalism
NEW YORK (PIX11) — A Manhattan bistro with Israeli roots was vandalized with graffiti over the weekend.
Community members were calling it a hate crime and showed up in big numbers on Monday to support the restaurant from morning until night.
Mondays are typically slow for manager Ben Zara at Effi’s Kosher Cafe. But this wasn’t a normal Monday. It was slammed with supporters.
She was so busy running the Upper West Side eatery that community members got to work waiting tables, too.
“Even people from out of New York and Israel calling me and extending support for us,” Zara said.
The outpouring comes after what some are calling an act of hate, targeting the cafe’s Jewish owner.
The modest cafe was drenched in dripping red paint and graffiti scrawled on the ground said “Free Gaza.”
“The words said, ‘Form a line to support genocide,’ where the line always happens on Sunday,” Zara said. “I was terrified. I was so scared.”
A Manhattan bistro with Israeli roots was vandalized over the weekend with graffiti. (Credit: Effys Cafe) A Manhattan bistro with Israeli roots was vandalized over the weekend with graffiti. (Credit: Effys Cafe) A Manhattan bistro with Israeli roots was vandalized over the weekend with graffiti. (Credit: Effys Cafe) A Manhattan bistro with Israeli roots was vandalized over the weekend with graffiti. (Credit: Effys Cafe) A Manhattan bistro with Israeli roots was vandalized over the weekend with graffiti. (Credit: Effys Cafe) A Manhattan bistro with Israeli roots was vandalized over the weekend with graffiti. (Credit: Effys Cafe)
Faint remnants of the vandalism remained on Monday night, despite volunteers working to scrub off the words and the paint.
“I’m trying to run a business where I put politics aside. I love everyone,” said Efi Alkoby, who grew up in Israel.
He’s owned the hot spot for over two decades and was out of town when it happened.
“It’s definitely a hate crime. Definitely hate crime,” Alkoby said.
However, the NYPD hasn’t classified it that way. A police spokesperson cautioned that it could be considered a political statement.
Jewish and Muslim community members condemned the act and called for accountability.
“We call on everyone to support the governor’s legislation to make graffiti a hate crime,” said Hindy Poupko of the United Jewish Federation.
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“No small business should be victimized because it’s owned by Jews,” said Rep. Jerry Nadler, who represents Manhattan.
“As a Muslim, I need to be here because we know the beginning is antisemitism, and that is not the end,” said Sheikh Musa Drammeh.
Antisemitism has shot up 50% so far this year compared to the same time last year, according to the NYPD. The Hate Crimes Task Force hasn’t decided if this was a biased crime.
Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
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