In a sickening display of hatred for ultra-Orthodox Jews, a New York senator has accused all ultra-Orthodox Jews in New York of spreading disease after a lone man in Ramapo, Rockland County contracted polio. In addition, he attacked the yeshiva
An anti-Semitic senator in New York attacked all ultra-Orthodox Jews after one of them contracted the polio virus, in a show of hatred towards ultra-orthodox Jews, New York Senator James Scopis blamed all ultra-Orthodox Jews in New York after a single Jewish man in Ramapo, Rockland County contracted polio.
In a statement, Scopis said he “calls on the Ministry of Health to act with the full force of the law on those who bypassed the vaccination requirements.” He also incited against yeshivots, “Several yeshivots in Rockland County have a history of non-compliance with state immunization laws, more strict enforcement is needed in light of today’s news,” Scopis wrote.
The senator’s comments, which border on anti-Semitic incitement on the backs of every ultra-Orthodox Jew in the country, become more sickening considering the fact that Scopis did not express sympathy, condemnation or even comment after many Jews were attacked in Rockland County in recent days.
“There is no data to support the claim that vaccination rates are lower among Orthodox Jews than elsewhere,” said Yossi Gasttner, the co-founder of the Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Council (OJPAC) in a statement to the Yeshiva world news website. “However, even if it were true, it is disgusting to publish a statement that blames an entire community because of a few.”
“Besides,” Gesttner continued, “if there is a problem of vaccination, then a cooperative effort between the government and the community is needed, not in the way of incitement or strife. In addition, a few days ago, a number of Orthodox Jews in Rockland County were attacked with air rifle fire by antisemites, Mr. Scopis didn’t talk about it and he certainly didn’t blame an entire community for it. It’s very possible that inciting comments and content in the past made those teenagers think it would be fun to drive 15 minutes to attack Orthodox Jews.”
Scopis has since deleted his statement, but the damage he caused – and his attitude towards the Jewish community – has already been done.