NEW YORK โ Israeli tech entrepreneur Hillel Fuld shared a photograph on Thursday showing a man on a New York City subway train with a swastika displayed prominently on his Apple Watch. The image, captured by a friend standing nearby, underscores the persistence of antisemitic symbols in everyday public spaces.โโ
Fuld posted the photo to his social media accounts, drawing attention to the casual display of Nazi imagery amid heightened concerns over antisemitism in major U.S. cities. The incident occurred on a crowded train, with the watch screen clearly visible to fellow passengers.โ
Eyewitness Account
Fuld stated that “a friend who lives in NYC was standing next to this man on the train yesterday.” The photo shows the man dressed in winter clothing, including a dark coat and scarf, with the smartwatch on his left wrist displaying the black swastika against a dark background. No additional context about the man’s identity or intentions has been reported.โโ
This event highlights the normalization of hate symbols in urban transit systems. Fuld has used the platform to question narratives downplaying current antisemitism levels compared to historical precedents.โ
Rising Antisemitism in New York
New York Police Department data shows antisemitic hate crimes increased by 45 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year. Incidents ranged from vandalism to physical assaults on Jewish individuals.โ
Fuld, originally from Queens and now based in Israel, has frequently addressed American Jewish audiences on these trends. In a June 2024 New York Post interview, he urged Jews to “get the hell out of the U.S. now,” citing soaring antisemitic crimes as a wake-up call.โ
“This is not 1930s Germany yet, but it’s getting there,” Fuld said in the interview, reflecting on his decision to relocate his family to Israel.โ
The NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force continues to investigate bias incidents, though no specific report on this subway occurrence has surfaced as of Friday morning.โ
Hillel Fuld’s Advocacy
Hillel Fuld is a prominent Israeli tech influencer and startup advisor known for combating online misinformation and antisemitism. He co-founded the startup accelerator BetaVerse and regularly speaks on Israel’s innovation ecosystem.โ
Since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks in Israel, Fuld has amplified stories of global antisemitism, including in North America. His social media following exceeds 100,000, where he shares eyewitness accounts like this one to raise awareness.โ
Fuld’s post received rapid engagement, with users expressing outrage and calls for increased security on public transit. Similar incidents, such as swastika graffiti in NYC subways in 2017, prompted community clean-up efforts but highlighted recurring challenges.โ
Patterns Echoing Global Trends
This subway display parallels findings from CyberWell, the nonprofit monitoring online antisemitism. After the Bondi Beach terror attack in Australia, CyberWell documented surges in hate content glorifying violence against Jews and conspiracy theories.โ
CyberWell CEO Tal-Or Cohen Montemayor noted that such normalization “strips victims of empathy and lays the groundwork for further violence.” Real users, not just bots, amplify these symbols across platforms.โ
In the U.S., organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) track similar escalations. ADL reported over 10,000 antisemitic incidents nationwide in 2024, the highest since tracking began. Jewish communities in cities like New York report feeling increasingly unsafe on public transport and streets.โ
Community Response and Calls for Action
Jewish advocacy groups have called for enhanced platform moderation and public awareness campaigns. Fuld’s post aligns with broader efforts to document and publicize such acts, pressuring authorities for accountability.โ
New York officials, including former Mayor Eric Adams, have condemned rising antisemitism and pledged more police patrols in Jewish neighborhoods. Transit authorities emphasize zero tolerance for hate symbols but face challenges in crowded systems.โ
For Jewish and Zionist readers monitoring global threats, this incident serves as a stark reminder of vigilance needs. Resources like CyberWell’s database track verified antisemitic content for transparency.โ
Fuld continues to advocate from Israel, urging diaspora Jews to prioritize safety. Updates on this story will follow as more details emerge.
