A disturbing scene played out on Manhattan’s tony Upper West Side Thursday as an assailant stabbed two men in separate attacks. The victims both said he yelled the Islamic battle cry "Allahu Akbar!" before assaulting them.
Both men went to the hospital following the stabbings and are expected to recover from their injuries. The suspect is in custody and the motive has not been officially established:
A suspect is in custody after two men were stabbed in Manhattan's Upper West Side Thursday afternoon in what city officials described as a pair of apparent "antisemitic" attacks.
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) said one of the victims is Jewish and that witnesses reported hearing the suspect yell "Allahu Akbar" during both assaults.
Investigators are evaluating whether the reported attacks should be classified as a hate crime and identified the suspect as Raul Morales, 51, in connection with both assaults.
NEW: 2 stabbed in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, including at least one ‘visibly Jewish’ victim; suspect yelled ‘Allahu Akbar’ pic.twitter.com/6nq7hwiyt4
— Rapid Report (@RapidReport2025) July 23, 2026
The incident occurred as the city remains on edge over concerns of antisemitism. Democratic Socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani threatened to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant, but was roundly mocked for the declaration because neither the U.S. nor Israel is a party to the Court.
On Tuesday, he sheepishly admitted that he had no such authority. Nevertheless, he called the PM a "war criminal" and the "architect of a horrific genocide" in a press conference.
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Mamdani issued a statement on the incident, but hours after numerous officials had already expressed their concern:
Mamdani issued his statement roughly two hours after City Council Speaker Julie Menin and about 45 minutes after Gov. Kathy Hochul.
I have been briefed on today’s horrifying stabbings on the Upper West Side, where an Asian man and a Jewish man were attacked. According to witness and victim statements, the perpetrator yelled “Allahu Akbar” during both attacks. I am relieved that both victims are in stable… https://t.co/0LSGtvPojx
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) July 23, 2026
I have been briefed on today’s horrifying stabbings on the Upper West Side, where an Asian man and a Jewish man were attacked. According to witness and victim statements, the perpetrator yelled “Allahu Akbar” during both attacks. I am relieved that both victims are in stable condition.
The NYPD responded immediately and arrested Raul Morales in connection with both assaults—and I am grateful to the officers for their swift response.
The NYPD’s initial investigation suggests that mental health may have been a factor. They are also evaluating these stabbings as potential hate crimes.
These hateful and despicable attacks have no place in our city.
Although the motive has not been established and it's unclear if the assailant was aware of Mamdani's recent proclamations, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel Gideon Sa'ar noted that "words have consequences."
I am appalled by the horrific antisemitic stabbing attack in New York.
— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) July 23, 2026
Appalled but sadly not surprised.
This violence did not happen in a vacuum. Months of incitement against the Jewish state from Mamdani have helped create a climate in which Jews are targeted.
Words have…
I am appalled by the horrific antisemitic stabbing attack in New York.
Appalled but sadly not surprised.
This violence did not happen in a vacuum. Months of incitement against the Jewish state from Mamdani have helped create a climate in which Jews are targeted.
Words have consequences.
Mamdani must end the incitement, confront antisemitism with resolve, and act now to protect the city’s Jewish community.
Enough is enough.
This is a developing story, and RedState will bring you new information as it comes in.
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