A well-known Israeli eatery in Brooklyn was targeted by vandals with hateful anti-Israel slogans early on Sunday morning, as reported by FOX 5 in New York. The incident took place at the Miriam restaurant in Park Slope, where the property was defaced with antisemitic messages and splashed with red paint. According to the police, the vandalism occurred around 3:00 a.m., and when officers arrived, they discovered the windows of the restaurant covered in red paint and spray-painted with the phrases “Israel Steals Culture” and “Genocide Cuisine.”

As of now, no suspects have been identified or apprehended, and the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is leading the investigation into the incident. In a statement shared on Instagram, Miriam restaurant expressed its sadness over the attack, saying, “Miriam Brooklyn Restaurant was sadly vandalized with messages of hate. But we refuse to let this darken our spirit. Miriam stands for inclusivity and unity and bringing people together through the shared love of delicious food and warm hospitality.”
FOX 5 also spoke with the restaurant’s owner, Rafael Hasid, who expressed his dismay about the attack. “It makes me sad, that people, instead of if they have a different opinion than mine, instead of coming and talking about it, they vandalize my restaurant,” Hasid said.
The attack has been met with swift condemnation from leaders at both the city and state levels. New York City Mayor Eric Adams promised that the culprits would be brought to justice, stating, “As mayor of the city with the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, I am particularly heartbroken by this evil act. Make no mistake, the NYPD is investigating and will find those responsible,” in a statement shared on X.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul also condemned the vandalism, calling it “outrageous and despicable.” She added, “Antisemitism in Brooklyn is an attack on every New Yorker and contradicts our core values,” in a post on X. “To the owners and staff of Miriam: your state stands with you. And the perpetrators will be brought to justice.”
Rep. Richie Torres (D-NY), a staunch advocate for Israel, also voiced his support, writing on X, “I went to Brooklyn to stand in solidarity with the owner of Miriam, an Israeli restaurant that became the target of antisemitic vandalism.” He further stated, “Jew-hatred will find no refuge in the City of New York. A hate crime against the Jewish community is a hate crime against all of us.”
{Matzav.com}