Political wannabe Heshy Tischler was arrested and charged for his part in the assault of orthodox Jewish journalist Jacob Kornbluh last week. Kornbluh was attacked by fellow Jews while covering a protest against New York’s Covid-19 shutdown.
The NYPD stated: “The New York City Police Department Warrant Squad has taken Harold “Heshy” Tischler into custody. He will be charged with inciting to riot and unlawful imprisonment in connection with an assault of a journalist that took place on October 7, 2020 in Brooklyn.”
While most of the Orthodox Jewish community leaders accepted the necessity of the shutdowns as a life saving measure, many Hasidim saw it as a limitation of their freedom of religion and took to the streets in protest.
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When Tischler, a candidate for New York City Council, saw Mr. Kornbluh at a protest he called on protesters to accost the reporter. (Read our full coverage of that event here.)
Kornbluh later said, “I was standing there observing the scene on the sidelines, standing next to some families. I didn’t draw any attention, I was just looking at my phone observing the scene when Heshy Tischler recognized me, and directed a crowd to come towards me.”
Cell phone footage showed Heshy Tischler complaining to the police officers who arrested him that he had agreed to surrender himself to authorities on Monday morning. Tischler said, “You’re coming to arrest me now. I told you they were going to trick me. I called. I even spoke to the chief. They tricked me. They’re telling everybody that I was supposed to be arrested tomorrow.”
Tischler is calling himself a political prisoner and accusing New York City officials of keeping him in jail for as long as possible. He said, “Keeping me here for the night and delayed my processing of the paperwork by the mayor and DA. Political stunt. Will not stop fighting for you.”
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Heshy Tischler, the right wing agitator who led a mob attack on @jacobkornbluh last week, was just arrested in Borough Park. He previously claimed to have struck a deal with police to turn himself in on Monday pic.twitter.com/G3V1LHqgpX
— Jake Offenhartz (@jangelooff) October 12, 2020
There is already a new hashtag on Twitter “#FreeHeshy.”
Hasidim were filmed demonstrating in the streets shouting, “No Heshy, no peace!”
Unfortunately, there are mobs now gathering in the middle of the night outside of Jacob Kornbluh’s home. Journalist Elad Nehorai tweeted that, “A mob is forming, instigated by Heshy Tischler (from before he was arrested) and his supporters, outside of @jacobkornbluh ’s home. Jacob was the victim of assault by this man’s mob, which is why Tischler is in jail.”
“I’m very very worried for Jacob,” Nehorai added.
He is right. This is sick. Watch the video of these people which was posted on Twitter:
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Spare a thought for @jacobkornbluh and his family’s safety. This scene puts the whole city to shame. https://t.co/U9GaqwPlZC
— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) October 12, 2020
This might be sad if it were not so dangerous. This is why populist political figures are a threat to democracy.
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Protesting the political arrest of community activist and journalist Heshy Tischler.#FreeHeshy pic.twitter.com/OUvaARhtcd
— Heshy Tischler #FreeHeshy (@HeshyTischler) October 12, 2020
Heshy Tischler’s lawyer Sara Shulevitz called this a politically motivated arrest. She told the New York Post, “He is not guilty and this is a politically motivated arrest and the truth will come out.”
New York Congressman Jerrold Nadler was happy with the arrest. He tweeted, “Grateful to @NYPDnews @NYCMayor & @BrooklynDA for their decisive action to ensure accountability in this case. Violence perpetrated against journalists, or anyone, must not be tolerated in any community.”