Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny (R,C-Coney Island) spoke in the Assembly Chamber earlier this week on the importance of Holocaust Remembrance Day amid rising levels of antisemitism in New York City. As a long-time advocate for the Jewish community, Brook-Krasny has supported numerous initiatives including the Stop Anti-Semitism on College Campuses Act (A.8284) to combat anti-Jewish hate. Since the terrorist group Hamas attacked Israel in October of last year, the NYPD reported more antisemitic hate crimes in one month than the city had seen in nearly two years. Between September and October, New York City saw a total increase in antisemitic hate crimes of 330%. Brook-Krasny believes it is imperative to remember the horrors and trauma of the past so history does not repeat itself here in New York.

“Whenever I speak on Holocaust Remembrance Day, I feel a great responsibility,” said Brook-Krasny. “Every year, I make a point to talk about this issue of empowering my community and pushing back against antisemitism. However, I never would have thought in 2024, these remarks would be looked down upon. Since the senseless terrorist attacks on innocent Israeli citizens on October 7, the world has changed. Our country has changed, our state has changed and the City of New York has changed,” said Brook-Krasny.

“In the last few months, we’ve seen an unprecedented rise in antisemitic crimes across our city. The philosopher George Santayana once famously said, ‘Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.’ It’s time for New York to wake up and stand against antisemitism so history does not repeat itself once again,” Brook-Krasny continued.

***Editor’s Note: You can watch Assemblyman Brook-Krasny’s full video statement here***