Hundreds Rally at Queens Bagel Shop After Vandalism

Roughly 300 demonstrators gathered Thursday outside Bagels & Company, an Israeli-owned kosher bagel shop in the Jamaica Estates section of Queens. The group bought bagels at the business and held signs opposing recent vandalism at the location. Footage shows a person in traditional Muslim attire damaging potted plants and outdoor seating for about five minutes around 1 a.m. Friday.

Police are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime, law enforcement sources said Monday. The suspect left the scene and has not been identified. Elan Kornblum, president of Great Kosher Restaurant School, attended the rally and said repeated vandalism at kosher restaurants is frightening.

Daniel Rosen, president of IMPACT, called for stronger penalties for hate crimes and financial assistance for affected businesses. Hila Ashkenazi, owner of the shop, said local officers are patrolling the area and expressed hope that an arrest would occur soon.

Ashkenazi also noted the volume of community support since the incident.

Friedlander, a neighborhood resident, held a sign stating support for Israel and the business. Mizrahi, a Jewish-Iranian singer, said the rally was intended to reject intimidation of Jewish residents. City data show antisemitic incidents rose 182 percent in January compared with the same month last year and accounted for most reported hate crimes, according to the NYPD.

The increase follows the October 7, 2023 attacks and subsequent events.