According to an Anti-Defamation League report, "U.S. Antisemitic Incidents Hit Highest Level Ever Recorded," antisemitic attacks are on the rise in the U.S., and sadly, show little sign of slowing.

With the Hamas attack in Israel leading to the deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust, New York Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, who chairs the state’s Hate and Bias Prevention Unit, told Capital Tonight the state is taking a “proactive effort to not only just be reactive to situations, but to create the right climate, the right atmosphere, so that we can get out in front” of incidents of hate and bias.

The Hate and Bias Prevention Unit was launched at the end of 2022 and housed in the state’s Division of Human Rights. The unit’s goals are to create a statewide network of regional councils, which are geared toward building connections and response mobilization and a rapid response team, which would provide “a coordinated, rapid, and community-focused response to hate and bias incidents.”

While emergent situations should still be referred to 911 first, New Yorkers have two ways to report bias or discrimination to the Hate and Bias Prevention Unit. Over the phone, New Yorkers can use a toll-free hotline on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 1-888-392-3644, or submit a report at www.dhr.ny.gov/biasprevention.

The recent Hamas attacks in Israel had a personal impact on the Delgado family.

The Second Lady of New York, Lacey Schwartz Delgado, and the lieutenant governor are raising their twin boys in the Jewish faith. The lieutenant governor said families like his had to have “difficult conservations” with their children on the “unspeakable evil” that occurred.

Delgado said that his message to both Israeli and Palestinian New Yorkers is that “no hate will be permitted of any kind” in the Empire State.