Antisemitic hate crimes in New York City jumped by more than 70% in May, even as murders, shootings and major crime fell to historic lows, according to new NYPD data released Wednesday.
The department recorded 68 confirmed hate crimes last month, up from 39 in May 2025. Of those incidents, 41 targeted Jews, compared with 24 during the same month last year, a roughly 71% increase. Antisemitic incidents accounted for about 60% of all confirmed hate crimes in the city.
The spike came as broader crime continued to fall. Overall major crime dropped nearly 11% in May compared with last year, while the city recorded the fewest murders, shootings and shooting victims for the first five months of any year on record. “Across our city, the NYPD is delivering on its mission to keep New Yorkers safe,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.
Jewish leaders said the numbers reflected a climate many in the community already feel. “There isn’t any shock in the Jewish community that antisemitic hate crimes have risen against our community by 70%,” Moshe Spern, president of United Jewish Teachers, told the New York Post. Spern also criticized Mayor Zohran Mamdani, accusing him of contributing to the problem, while Mamdani has rejected claims that he is indifferent to antisemitism and has proposed $26 million in annual anti-hate funding.
The figures come days after Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation allowing police to create 50-foot security zones outside houses of worship during demonstrations. The measure follows repeated concerns over synagogue harassment and comes amid recent incidents including swastika graffiti, attacks on visibly Jewish New Yorkers and the arrest of an NYU student accused of displaying a Nazi-themed flag during graduation week.