Last Updated on April 29, 2020
In a deeply disturbing tweet, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, born Warren Wilhelm, revealed that he has ordered the New York Police Department to begin citing and arresting Jews who refuse to abide by the city’s stringent lockdown order.
De Blasio explained that his “message to the Jewish community” is that “the time for warnings has passed,” and he has “instructed the NYPD to proceed immediately to summons or even arrest those who gather in large groups.”
Practically, this means certain Jewish communities, who have resisted the lockdown order, may be rounded up and hauled to jail at de Blasio’s orders, with police officers simply following orders.
My message to the Jewish community, and all communities, is this simple: the time for warnings has passed. I have instructed the NYPD to proceed immediately to summons or even arrest those who gather in large groups. This is about stopping this disease and saving lives. Period.
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) April 29, 2020
In another tweet, de Blasio threatened to arrest those who gather for religious gatherings, including funerals, within the state of New York.
“Something absolutely unacceptable happened in Williamsburg tonite [sic],” wrote de Blasio. “A large funeral gathering in the middle of this pandemic.”
“When I heard, I went there myself to ensure the crowd was dispersed. And what I saw WILL NOT be tolerated,” the mayor continued.
Something absolutely unacceptable happened in Williamsburg tonite: a large funeral gathering in the middle of this pandemic. When I heard, I went there myself to ensure the crowd was dispersed. And what I saw WILL NOT be tolerated so long as we are fighting the Coronavirus
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) April 29, 2020
The mayor’s announcement understandably shocked and appalled many prominent Jewish residents of New York City. Jews began settling in New York as far back as 1654, and there are now believed to be at least 1.5 million Jews who call the city home.
Kalman Yeger, a New York City Councilman, said de Blasio’s “words are unacceptable.”
Mr. Mayor, your words are unacceptable. To condemn our entire community over one group of people is something you would not do to any other ethnic group, and I know you long enough to know that you know this. https://t.co/tkKQrc0bXA
— Kalman Yeger ונשמרתם מאד לנפשותיכם (@KalmanYeger) April 29, 2020
Lawrence Lewitinn, the managing editor of Coin Desk, pointed out that de Blasio blasted all Jews for the actions of a specific community, and that by doing so he was “inflaming antisemitism.”
“The Jewish Community”? Which one? The Modern Orthodox on the UWS? The Reform alter cockers on the UES? The Syrian Jews of Midwood? The Bukharians of Queens? Oh, wait, you mean the Satmars of W’burg. Why don’t you say so instead of inflaming antisemtism, you imbecile.
— Lawrence Lewitinn (@lvlewitinn) April 29, 2020
Elad Nehorai, the founder of Hevria, pointed out that Jews “are not a monolith, and neither are the specific communities you are calling out.”
“The Jewish community”?
Are you kidding me? We are not a monolith, and neither are the specific communities you are calling out.
This is disgusting and antisemitic, and especially dangerous considering the recent uptick in antisemitic attacks.
— Elad Nehorai (@PopChassid) April 29, 2020
Even Jonathan Greenblatt, of the Anti Defamation League, which has come under fire for taking radical left wing stances throughout 2020, blasted de Blasio.
“There are 1mil+ Jewish people in #NYC,” wrote Greenblatt. “Generalizing against the whole population is outrageous especially when so many are scapegoating Jews.”
Hey @NYCMayor, there are 1mil+ Jewish people in #NYC. The few who don’t social distance should be called out — but generalizing against the whole population is outrageous especially when so many are scapegoating Jews. This erodes the very unity our city needs now more than ever. https://t.co/jcYO9QQred
— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) April 29, 2020
Over 12 hours after publishing his remarks, de Blasio has yet to apologize for his words or delete the tweet.
