Man. Borough President Scott Stringer. Photo: Ianquie Doodle.

A possible candidate to succeed Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Manhattan borough President Scott Stringer joined leaders from around New York City at a press conference Thursday, to denounce a recent uptick in anti-semitic linked attacks across the area.

“We are committed to stopping this trend of hatred that goes against everything this city believes in,” Stringer said. “These kinds of disgusting, disgraceful acts have no place in New York and in our society.”

Late Sunday, Midtown Manhattan was the scene of four swastikas drawn onto two different storefronts.  This followed a number of related incidents in Brooklyn, including a car that was set ablaze in late 2011 and defaced with hateful rhetoric.  In New Jersey yesterday, a more serious and actionable threat arose when a cocktail device was launched into a synagogue in New Jersey.

Larry Goldberg, the president of Temple Beth El, told the Algemeiner that despite the attack, things will go on as normal.

“We had a meeting last night, normal activities will go forward.  We will continue forward.  A proposal has been set forth for additional lighting and security measures.”

He indicated this was possible due to an effective response from authorities.

“The emergency response was excellent, they were there in a very very short time.  With the scale of the event, fortunately the damage and danger was minimized very quickly.  Police, volunteer fire, everyone was there very quickly, and took care of everything that was needed.”

Stringer’s press conference comes a day after outrage erupted over a Brooklyn jewelry shop selling swastika earrings.  The Manhattan borough president swiftly condemned this. “Let me be clear — a swastika is not a fashion statement. It is the most hateful symbol in our culture, and an insult to any civilized person.”

Today, the store has reportedly decided to stop selling those earrings.