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Police investigate possible hate crimes as New York antisemitic incidents hit record high

Jewish antisemitic crime investigated in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
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New York police (NYPD) are investigating two recent incidents in Williamsburg, Brooklyn as possible hate crimes after two men, both over 60-years-old, were sprayed with a fire extinguisher and assaulted.

In one incident, the 66-year-old man wished to remain anonymous, but was approached and sprayed with a fire extinguisher before he says he was punched and left bloody, ABC 7 NY reported.

The victim believes he was targeted because he is Jewish and said he is now hesitant to go out into the street.

"I thought with this I am finished. And then he gave me a punch," he said.

On Sunday, in another incident, police responded nearby to a call where a 72-year-old Jewish man was approached and doused with powder from a fire extinguisher.

Police said no words were exchanged between the two before the attack, which was captured on video released by NYPD.

The New York Times reported a record 416 antisemitic incidents recorded across New York State last year, which was a surge of 24 percent.

51 of the reports of antisemitism were assaults. That's the most physical attacks ever recorded in the state since the Anti-Defamation League began compiling the data in 1979.