Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny (R,C-Coney Island) attended a press conference earlier today hosted by the New York Chapter of “Run for Their Lives” to call for the release of the 134 hostages being held in Gaza. There are still currently two New Yorkers being held as hostages since the devastating terrorist attacks in Israel on October 7.

Since fall, the rates of antisemitic hate crimes have gone through the roof. In January alone, the NYPD reported 31 cases of anti-Jewish hate crimes, bringing the total to 193 incidents since the beginning of October. The rise in antisemitism in the city along with the current hostage crisis has created an environment where Jewish New Yorkers no longer feel safe. It’s time for lawmakers to speak out against Jewish hate and protect these communities.

“October 7 was a traumatic day for many Jewish New Yorkers and unfortunately many are still hurting in the aftermath,” said Brook-Krasny. “All 134 of these hostages deserve to be with their families and loved ones and I will continue to do everything I can to make sure we see their immediate and safe release.”

“Despite the pain and heartbreak the Jewish community is facing, there are many in our city and across our state who are sympathetic to the same terrorists who caused these attacks. This is completely disgusting. Jewish hate has no home in our country, our state and certainly not in Brooklyn. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to call for an end to this madness and bring these hostages home.”