Upper East Side Kosher Pizzeria Targeted in Possible Anti-Semitic Attack

MANHATTAN – The NYPD is investigating a case of vandalism that’s rattled the Upper East Side with concerns growing the business was the target of an anti-semitic attack.

Shattered glass held together with tape greets visitors to Saba’s Pizza, a pizza box blocks a large hole where a hate-filled suspect hurled a brick into the windows of the Kosher Pizzeria on Lexington Avenue between 82nd and 83rd streets, late Sunday night into early Monday morning. 

Customers buzzing in and out today, seemingly unfazed by the violence unleashed on the storefront a short time ago. 

Upper East Side City Councilman Ben Kallos, a frequent customer of the pizza shop told FOX5 “The only Kosher pizza place in the neighborhood, across the street where I go to synagogue, has been vandalized. This is happening everywhere.” 

It’s one of the latest in what some have called a wave of anti-semitic attacks including everything from harassment with vile words to threats and assaults on the street.

The Anti-defamation league reports that anti-semitic incidents reported to them nationwide skyrocketed 75% during the two weeks of military conflict between Israel and Hamas. 

Here in the city, Mayor de Blasio has stepped up NYPD patrols in Jewish neighborhoods in response to the rise in anti-semitism, vowing to stomp out the hate.

“People are in fear all over our city,” Councilman Kallos adds, “we really need to make sure we’re doing what we can to support each and every community”

Today, Democratic Mayor Candidate Kathryn Garcia visited Saba’s Pizza to support the restaurant— telling New Yorkers that “the recent rise in anti-Semitic, anti-Asian, and anti-Black violence must end. New York City needs to be safe for everyone, full stop.”

For updates around the clock, follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook