An assailant tried to torch a Hatzalah vehicle in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. The New York City Police Department is investigating the arson as a possible hate crime. Photo: Screenshot

An assailant was caught on video attempting to torch a Hatzalah ambulance parked on the street in New York City last week in an incident that police are investigating as a possible hate crime.

Hatzalah volunteer ambulances serve predominantly Jewish communities around the world.

The New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) Hate Crime Task Force is searching for the suspect who, in surveillance camera footage, can be seen wearing khaki shorts, a light blue t-shirt, and holding an unidentifiable beverage. In the footage, the suspect casually walks up and bends down next to the Hatzalah vehicle.

Blurry surveillance camera footage captures the Hatzalah arson suspect walking up to the ambulance. He is holding an unidentifiable bottle in his hand. Photo: Screenshot

In the next frame of the video, after the man kneels beside the car, a fire spreads in the rear of the vehicle near the rear tire and tail pipe.

SHOCKING FOOTAGE

A man was caught on CCTV setting fire to a Jewish emergency vehicle in NYC, prompting a manhunt by the NYPD Hate Crime Unit. The incident involved a Hatzalah vehicle in the Lower East Side. pic.twitter.com/LcWOIuF9cR

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) July 12, 2024

The attempted arson occurred in Manhattan’s Lower East Side on Grand Street near Madison Avenue, a few blocks from Hatzalah’s Lower East Side Garage. The area is home to several synagogues including the Young Israel of Manhattan and the historic Bialystoker Synagogue. 

Joel Petlin, superintendent of the Kiryas Joel school district and a commentator, lambasted the incident on X / Twitter, writing, “Nothing says ‘Free Palestine’ quite like someone in New York City setting fire to a first responder vehicle owned by Hatzalah, a respected organization that serves the Jewish community and anyone else who calls for their emergency medical services.”

Meanwhile, at 500C Grand Street, roughly two blocks from where the arson took place, a Jewish family found the message “Hate You Jew” scrawled onto their apartment door. The NYPD is investigating the graffiti. A representative from the apartment building management company commented to Hamodia Magazine that they condemn the “despicable, antisemitic incident” and are fully cooperating with the NYPD’s investigation. 

Hatzalah Emergency Medical Services is the largest nonprofit, volunteer ambulance service in the US. It was founded in Brooklyn in 1965 and serves all people in need, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity. 

Recently, New York City’s Mayor Eric Adams attended a fundraiser for Hatzalah’s sister organization in Israel, United Hatzalah. “This organization really personifies the Jewish community,” Adams told the crowd. “I say over and over again, United Hatzalah quietly carries out your role of giving back to humanity. People don’t realize how much you’ve given back so often.”

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reported earlier this year that antisemitic incidents in New York State skyrocketed by 110 percent last year, with almost 14 percent of such incidents in America in 2023 taking place in New York. Most of the outrages occurred after the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas’ massacre across southern Israel on Oct. 7, during the ensuing war in Gaza.