By Phil Orenstein
In the wake of the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist massacre—the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust—New York City became the epicenter of a disturbing surge in antisemitism. In the year that followed, antisemitic incidents in the city reached a historic high, with Jews targeted in 54% of all reported hate crimes, according to NYPD statistics.
The vast majority of these attacks occurred in the borough of Manhattan. This is not a mystery. It is the predictable result of a criminal justice system that has failed to function, enabled by the leadership—or lack thereof—of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. When prosecutors refuse to hold violent offenders accountable, chaos and hate fill the vacuum.
Bragg’s “Day One Memo” sent a clear soft-on-crime message: armed robbery, certain assaults, and other serious crimes would be downgraded or dismissed entirely. Prison time would be practically eliminated for many crimes. The supposed rationale was to focus on “serious” cases—but while crime flourished, Bragg prioritized prosecuting then former President Donald Trump, bringing 34 felony charges for business record violations and securing convictions on every count. Meanwhile, violent antisemites walked free.
Nowhere has this collapse of accountability been more visible than on Manhattan’s college campuses. After the Hamas massacre, Columbia University, NYU, City College, and other CUNY schools exploded in anti-Israel protests. Some of these were peaceful. Many were not. Buildings were vandalized. Police were attacked. Jewish students were harassed, threatened, and in some cases physically assaulted. Columbia became ground zero for radical protests, where anti-Israel chants celebrating terrorism echoed across campus quads, to the point where Jewish students were afraid to go to class.
Hundreds of arrests followed. The NYPD did their jobs, but time and again, charges were quietly dropped by the Manhattan DA’s office. Protesters who illegally stormed Columbia’s Hamilton Hall and caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage were arrested but faced virtually no consequences. At NYU’s “Gaza Solidarity” encampment, violence erupted when protesters hurled bottles and chairs at police officers. Again, more than 100 arrests—and again, many charges dropped. At City College, felony burglary charges against encampment protesters were dismissed without explanation.
“If hate crimes come without consequences, hate will spread—and that’s precisely what’s happening.”
This is not law enforcement. This is dereliction of duty by a prosecutor in our criminal justice system. Alvin Bragg’s official duty as the District Attorney (DA) of Manhattan, is to keep our communities safe and enforce the law in Manhattan. The DA is also known as a prosecutor, representing the government in our criminal justice system, ensuring that justice is served by prosecuting individuals accused of committing crimes to the fullest extent of the law. But DA Bragg failed to uphold the law and did not use his prosecutorial powers to punish offenders and safeguard the people.
To understand the danger of this soft-on-crime permissiveness, one need only look back at history. In 1923, during the Weimar Republic in Germany—a government widely recognized for its democratic structure—antisemitic violence and riots broke out across Berlin. The government’s legal system recognized these acts as criminal, but was weak, and failed to prosecute those responsible and protect Jewish communities. That failure helped pave the way for the rise to power of Adolf Hitler. The lesson is brutally clear: when political violence is not punished, it can enable extremist movements such as the Nazi Party to gain strength and legitimacy.
Antisemitism in New York is not just a wave of hate—it’s a referendum on whether our leaders will act to stop it from escalating. In 2025, Manhattan voters have a crucial choice: to continue on a path of leniency, or to demand a return to justice and safety for all citizens. In the past we had some outstanding Manhattan DAs such as the legendary Robert Morgenthau who served with intelligence, integrity and courage. Today, we have such a promising DA in the Republican candidate for Manhattan DA, Maud Maron.
That’s why the candidacy of Maud Maron matters. In the 2025 election cycle, the race for Manhattan DA is the big one for Manhattan voters to finally take a stand for their communities and the numerous college campuses all across the borough to become safe and hospitable for citizens of all races, religions, and nationalities, and not a safe haven for criminals.
Maron is a seasoned attorney with 20 years of experience as a public defender in Manhattan and the Bronx. She’s not only well-versed in the law—she’s demonstrated the integrity and courage to defend what’s right even when it’s unpopular. As a parent and education advocate, she co-founded PLACE NYC to fight for academic excellence and merit-based admissions. She opposed the woke agenda allowing males to play in female’s sports and was ousted from Manhattan’s Community Education Council, where she was previously elected its president, for speaking out against antisemitism and woke indoctrination in schools.
“The safety of Jews—and all New Yorkers—depends on a justice system that works. Right now, it doesn’t.”
The response from the public was swift—thousands rallied to her side, remonstrating with Chancellor Banks to reinstate her, and recognizing that Maud Maron is exactly the kind of courageous, independent-minded leader Manhattan needs.
In the mold of the late Robert Morgenthau, Maron brings experience, grit, and a deep commitment to justice. She has made it clear: if elected, she will prosecute antisemitic crimes and all acts of hate violence with the full weight of the law. She will restore safety, dignity, and accountability to a city reeling from neglect.
“Manhattan doesn’t need another political operator. It needs a District Attorney who will enforce the law and stand against antisemitism—without fear, without favor, and without compromise.”
Learn more about Maud Maron and how you can support her campaign to restore justice in Manhattan at maudformanhattan.com, and please donate generously to help spread the message about how we can make Manhattan safe again and stop antisemitism. Now is the time. Antisemitism won’t end with speeches, op-eds, and platitudes. It ends when hate is met with true justice.
Phil Orenstein is the President of the Queens Village Republican Club, America’s oldest Republican Club.
