Five Orthodox Jewish Women Attacked with Fertilizer Spray in New York Hate Crime

Five Orthodox Jewish women riding bicycles in the Catskills region of New York were attacked with a high-pressure agricultural fertilizer spray last Thursday. The assailants, traveling in a passing vehicle near Greenfield Park, stopped and sprayed the women using a device resembling a water cannon. Two women were directly injured, including one who was hit in the face and ear, causing her to lose balance and fall off her bike, and another who was struck in the back.

Witnesses reported that the attackers shouted antisemitic slurs and hateful remarks at the women, who were dressed in traditional Orthodox Jewish attire, both before and after the physical assault. The New York State Police responded promptly, conducting extensive searches at the scene and collecting surveillance footage from nearby homes and businesses to identify the vehicle’s license plate and the suspects.

The investigation is a top priority for local law enforcement and community leaders, especially given the Catskills’ popularity as a summer destination for Jewish visitors. Authorities are treating the incident as a serious hate crime motivated by antisemitism and are actively pursuing leads to apprehend those responsible.