The NYPD expects an arrest “soon” in the assault of a journalist by an unruly mob of Orthodox Jewish residents in Borough Park, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Friday.

“I checked in with Commissioner [Dermot] Shea earlier and an arrest is expected in that case soon,” de Blasio said on The Brian Lehrer Show. “You cannot have someone assaulted for trying to actually report the news.

“I spoke to Jacob yesterday morning and Jacob is a very respected reporter who really tries to let his community, and all New Yorkers, know what’s going on. What happened to him was absolutely unacceptable… it was disgusting to watch.”

The reporter, Jacob Kornbluh of Jewish Insider, who is also Orthodox, was punched and kicked by an angry crowd who screamed at him — calling him “Nazi” and “Hitler.”

The mayor denounced the violent incident Thursday as “absolutely unacceptable, disgusting really.”

The unruly crowd appeared to be egged on by the bombastic comments from City Council candidate Heshy Tischler.

Tischler has been criticized for his recent controversial comments, such as referring to First Lady Chirlane McCray “a retard woman.”

The Hasidic firebrand, though, is not expect to face any charges for appearing to incite violence during the demonstrations, since he did not physically attack  Kornbluh.

The demonstrations were in response to the recent restrictions on areas in New York City where coronavirus numbers are on the rise.

Cops are expected to arrest the unknown people in the crowd who assaulted Kornbluh.

Share this article:

Source: Read Full Article