Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Brooklyn) is calling on the New York City Police Department and Barclay’s Center to launch an investigation following a vicious anti-Semitic attack outside the arena last night that sent a prominent Brooklyn non-profit director to the hospital.

Leonard Petlakh, executive director of the Kings Bay Y, was leaving the Nets – Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball game with his children and friends when he was hit in the face by an anti-Israel protestor. The attacker fled. Petlakh was taken to Methodist Hospital where he was treated for a broken nose and severe lacerations under his eye that required eight stitches.

The attacker was part of a group that had attempted to disrupt the game by unfurling a Palestinian flag. A number of people in the audience exchanged words with the protesters, who were asked to leave Barclay’s after the game. Outside, the protestors shouted “Free Palestine” and “Your people are murderers” before one of them accosted Petlakh.

While the incident is reportedly being investigated by the Hate Crimes Unit, Assemblyman Cymbrowitz said he’s outraged that it “was allowed to occur in the first place.”

“This was not a group of protestors who showed up unannounced and took everyone by surprise. This protest was expected and received significant media attention days before the event took place,” Assemblyman Cymbrowitz said. “Given the advance notice, both the NYPD and Barclay’s should have been ready with enough personnel and security measures to keep the protestors apart from the attendees and avoid even the possibility of violence.”

Assemblyman Cymbrowitz is asking the NYPD and Barclay’s to fully investigate the chain of events that led to the attack on Petlakh and to examine security protocol for possible lapses. He’s hoping the NYPD apprehends a suspect soon.

“It’s terrible that Leonard’s children had to witness their father being brutally attacked — and it’s equally outrageous that a violent display of anti-Semitism wasn’t stopped before it got out of control,” he said.

THE FOLLOWING IS FROM THE KINGS BAY Y:

Leonard Petlakh, Executive Director of the Kings Bay Y, was physically attacked by anti-Israel protesters following the Nets – Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball game at Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn last night.

Petlakh was accosted while exiting the game with his children and friends. He said that anti-Israel demonstrators had attempted to disrupt the game by unfurling the Palestinian flag. A number of people in the audience exchanged words with the protesters, who were asked to leave Barclay’s after the game.

Outside, as the protestors shouted “Free Palestine” and “Your people are murderers,” one of them struck Petlakh in the face. Petlakh was taken to Methodist Hospital, where he was treated for a fractured nose and lacerations under his eye that required eight stitches. The attacker fled. The NYPD’s Hate Crimes Unit is investigating the incident, which occurred in the presence of hundreds of people and was caught on camera.

Petlakh said he hoped that the “vile anti-Semitic hooligans masquerading as anti-Zionists will be caught soon.” He also called for a more active police presence at venues that host Israel-related events and noted that the anti-Israel protest was publicized days in advance.

Last night’s game was preceded by a VIP celebration hosted by Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF). FIDF arranged for 12 IDF soldiers wounded during the Operation in Gaza to take part in the event.

“I am upset that my children witnessed this unprecedented violence, but I hope it sends a strong message to them to stand up for their values as proud Americans and as those who will eventually volunteer to serve in the Israel Defense Forces,” Petlakh said.

(YWN Desk – NYC)