Woman Charged with Hate Crimes After Antisemitic NYC Subway Attack
A 23-year-old Bronx woman has been charged with hate crimes after allegedly choking, punching, and kicking a Jewish nurse on a crowded Manhattan subway train while yelling antisemitic remarks, including the centuries-old blood libel that “Jews are eating kids.” The attack, partially captured on video by the victim, has sparked outrage and renewed concerns about rising antisemitism in New York City.
The Attack
Diana Smith was arrested at the Canal Street subway station on Sunday, May 31, 2026, after allegedly assaulting a 23-year-old Orthodox Jewish nurse on a northbound C train in Lower Manhattan at approximately 2:15 p.m., according to Fox News.
The victim, who requested her name be withheld from media reports, told the New York Post that Smith boarded the train and began asking passengers if they were Jewish, claiming that “Jews are stealing wealth.” Smith then turned her attention to the victim, staring at her with what the victim described as an “eerie smile” and saying, “I smell it on you.”
The situation escalated when Smith shouted “Jews are eating kids” — a modern variation of the ancient blood libel — and placed her hand on the victim’s throat. The victim began recording on her phone, capturing Smith yelling, “You’re a Jew. I can smell the kids.” Moments later, Smith allegedly choked, punched, and kicked the victim, threw her to the ground, and ripped out a clump of her hair.
“I was a ragdoll and I couldn’t defend myself — there should have been a human barricade around me,” the victim told the New York Post. “No one stepped up until it was too late.”
The victim suffered a concussion and was taken to a hospital in stable condition. Another passenger activated the train’s emergency button, and Smith was arrested at the Canal Street station.
Charges Filed
Smith was charged with hate crime assault, hate crime criminal obstruction of breathing, and hate crime aggravated harassment, according to the Jerusalem Post. The NYPD confirmed to Fox News Digital that Smith is 23 years old, correcting an initial discrepancy in some reports that listed her age as 34.
Rising Antisemitism in NYC
The attack occurred against a backdrop of sharply rising antisemitic hate crimes in New York City. According to newly released NYPD crime statistics, hate crimes in NYC increased by over 70% in May 2026 compared to May 2025. Of 68 confirmed hate crimes last month, 41 were antisemitic — a 70.8% increase from 24 in May 2025.
The Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) tracked 193 antisemitic incidents in New York City through May 31, 2026 — more than one per day. “Antisemitism has now moved from just words to actual violence,” said Lisa Katz, CAM’s Chief Government Affairs Officer.
Despite the spike in hate crimes, NYC recorded historic lows in murders, shootings, and overall major crimes in May 2026, with major crimes down nearly 11% year-over-year. The NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force has increased enforcement, with hate-crime arrests rising 20% in the first five months of 2026.
Political Fallout
The attack has drawn attention to Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s response to antisemitism. The mayor faced criticism for boycotting the Israel Day Parade on the same day as the attack, saying he does not agree with the Israeli government. The victim directly addressed this, telling the New York Post: “I don’t think New York is protecting Jews. I don’t think Mamdani not going to the Israel Day Parade is helping.”
Moshe Spern, President of United Jewish Teachers, told the New York Post: “There isn’t any shock in the Jewish community that antisemitic hate crimes have risen against our community by 70%. When the mayor of this city continues to use libelous statements against the Jewish people… what do you expect?”
What’s Next
Smith remains in custody pending court proceedings. The case highlights the growing challenge facing New York City as it grapples with a surge in antisemitic violence even as overall crime reaches historic lows. The victim, a nurse originally from Montreal, summed up the psychological toll: “I kept just thinking, ‘I’m not in Nazi Germany.’”
As the legal process unfolds, community leaders are calling for stronger action from city officials and increased public vigilance against antisemitic hate crimes.