For NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the wave of anti-Jewish demonstrations, destruction, and intimidation that has swept across New York City since Hamas’ brutal attack on October 7, 2023, feels deeply personal.
“As a Jewish mother and daughter born and raised in this city, it was chilling to see the symbols of antisemitism plastered to walls, displayed at rallies and painted on subway cars,” Tisch, who took office as the NYPD’s 48th commissioner in November, told attendees on Tuesday at the Anti-Defamation League’s Never Is Now Summit at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
Reflecting on the immediate response in the city after the attacks, the 43-year-old commissioner remarked, “Right here in New York, the city with the largest Jewish population outside of Israel anywhere in the world, anti-Jewish hate was on full display…It was so open, so shameless, so empowered. And it shook the foundations of what we thought being Jewish in New York City meant.”

Tisch’s personal connection to the issue extends beyond her Jewish identity—it is also rooted in her role as the leader of the city’s police force.
“Obviously, this is very personal to me — as a Jew, as a New Yorker, and as your police commissioner,” she said, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience.
She recalled the significance of her November swearing-in, saying, “As a Jew, I was so humbled at the outpouring of thanks and appreciation that I received from around the world after I was sworn in wearing my Magen David [Star of David necklace].”
Determined to confront the surge of antisemitic incidents in New York, Tisch emphasized the NYPD’s commitment to protecting Jewish communities and holding perpetrators accountable.
“There was fear there was anger there was helplessness and let’s be honest, there still is, but there is also clarity about what needs to be done and how the New York City Police Department will do it,” she stated at the ADL event.
She pointed out the staggering number of anti-Israel demonstrations the city has witnessed. “In the past 17 months we’ve dealt with thousands of anti-Israel protests across the five boroughs.” Tisch also provided striking statistics, noting that on the morning of October 7, 2023, antisemitic crimes in the city had declined by 20% for the year. However, following that day, the numbers spiked dramatically, surging by 80% before the end of 2023. The troubling trend continued into 2024, with a further 7% increase, making up 54% of all reported hate crimes in New York City.
Addressing the alarming protests taking place at universities such as Columbia and NYU, Tisch was direct in her criticism. “Many of the college campus protests were especially despicable, with open blatant displays of intolerance. Jewish students were harassed and intimidated and threatened. Buildings were ransacked and campus life was completely upended.”
She further underscored the nature of the demonstrations, asserting that “in many cases, the protesters’ target was not — and is not Israeli policy or geopolitics or even the horrors of war — but the Jewish people themselves.”
Tisch made it clear that the NYPD stands united against hateful rhetoric. “I wanna be very clear: I speak on behalf of the women and men of the NYPD when I say much of this rhetoric is vile.”
At the same time, she acknowledged the balance between upholding the law and addressing hate speech. “At the same time, as an organization whose members have sworn an oath to support, to protect and to defend the Constitution, the NYPD will follow the law and we will uphold the First Amendment even when the protective language is deeply offensive to our own sensibilities. But make no mistake: anyone who commits a crime will be arrested. They will be held accountable, and our city will not go backwards. Not on my watch.”
Reaffirming her commitment, she declared, “As your police commissioner, I promise that the NYPD will continue to combat antisemitism no matter where the threats originate, and our hate crimes task force will remain on the front lines of this fight.”
She closed with a message of unity and resilience. “And we at the NYPD have the backing of everyday New Yorkers who know that the most diverse city on the planet must be and will be a place where everyone can live and work and worship free from fear. This is not just our hope for the future. It is our fundamental responsibility right now.”
{Matzav.com}