By Gus Saltonstall
An Upper West Side restaurant had its door shattered over the weekend, according to the owner and police.
The incident took place at Gazala’s at 447 Amsterdam Avenue, between West 81st and 82nd streets, an Israeli Druze restaurant that opened in 2018. Israeli Druze are a religious minority among the Arab citizens of Israel that make up less than 2 percent of the country’s population.
“I don’t know why it happened,” Gazala Halavi, the restaurant’s owner, told West Side Rag. “It could be somebody who just wanted to do it. It could be because of what happened in Israel. I have no idea why [except] we always have Israeli music, I’m Israeli, I don’t know.”
NYPD confirmed to the Rag that the incident was being investigated as criminal mischief since the door was shattered but no one broke in and nothing was stolen. Police did not respond when asked whether they were investigating it as a hate crime.
“It looked like somebody just wanted to do damage, the door wasn’t completely opened,” said Halavi, who grew up in Israel. She added that the UWS restaurant had been broken into about a year earlier, when some items were stolen.
Halavi moved to New York and the Upper West Side in 2001, before relocating to midtown for a couple of years, and then returning to the Upper West Side. “The Upper West Side is my second home,” she said.
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Was this an anti-Semitic act, or was it random? I believe this needs to be tied into a larger context. According to data published this week, life expectancy in the United States has fallen again — the most significant two-year decline in a century. Why? More people report consuming mood-altering substances today than ever in our history. Why? The younger generation repeatedly reports having no greater meaning in their life/efforts beyond survival. Why? As Viktor Frankel would probably argue, the current anti-Israel and anti-Semitic movement is directly tied to this existential crisis. It’s a misguided attempt to find meaning in their life that will sadly only lead to increased suffering for the perpetrator and victim.
Gazala is Druze, not Jewish, even though she’s Israeli.
It’s partly why I wrote “misguided”
Druze are the toughest in the IDF.
Surely this is just a peaceful protest about Israeli government policy?
I hope this was written in sarcasm, for there is no ‘peaceful’ in vandalism. Having a voice does not include damaging another person’s property. The former is a right, the latter is a crime. Attacking a business just because one decides that this certain business represents (for them) another country’s government or decisions, is misguided at best, and is the antithesis of peace.
Hi Annie, It was very much intended as sarcasm. Because sadly there are many at the moment who legitimize violence, vandalism and intimidation against Jews and Israelis.
There is also no “peaceful” in blocking roads to bridges, airport or basically any roads that does not allow drivers to go where they need to go. The ones blocking the roads put the drivers in a position of being held hostage. Stop this, now!
How could you call this a “peaceful” protest? Someone broke down the door! Anyone could have been hurt!
Sorry, Gazala – I hope there was some witness to this terrible event, who could report this to the 24th Precinct police.
Why don’t we have police patrolling the streets?
Gazala, I have never tried your restaurant. I will be sure to try it now. Thank you.
West side musician
Hi Harriet, my comment was intended as sarcasm because that’s unfortunately exactly the rhetoric that many are using at the moment as a cover for their anti-Semitism.
It’s the 20th Precinct. The 24th starts on the north side of 86 Street.
Great restaurant. If you haven’t eaten there before you should. (I have no connection to it).
I’m assuming that was sarcasm. Much of the “peaceful protests” have resulted in frightening and non peaceful bullying and destructive behavior.
So sorry this happened. Gazala, you have a lovely restaurant.
Gazala is indeed a lovely restaurant, ran by a very hard working, lovely owner and staff. I am so sorry to hear that the UWS space was a target of hate and violence. I hope many of us in the neighborhood will come to support your business, if only to take a stand against vandalism and harm to another. Not to mention that you serve delicious food!
I’m looking forward to checking the restaurant out.
I’m so sorry to hear about the damaged door.
Sorry this happened. Gazala food is lovely.
When will they start charging the Hamas supporters with hate crimes?
When people like you stop projecting and assuming everything must have a nefarious context. Is every broken window now a political statement?
Why the rush to judgment in the comments. It does look bad, I agree, and I’m very sorry for the restaurant owner and staff, but the facts are not out. We can’t abandon critical thinking.
Wasn’t aware of this restaurant before, but I’m definitely going to go there real soon in support of them.
I’ve never eaten there before, but now my husband and I will be there for dinner this Friday night!
I will probably see you there, even though I won’t know it’s you since I don’t know you. I’d been meaning to try Gazala for quite some time, and that time is *now*!
Gazala, so sorry to hear about the damage to your wonderful restaurant. I’ll come by for lunch soon. Stay safe.
Gazala’s food is excellent and the service at the restaurant is great. I haven’t eaten there in a while , so because of this incident I just decided to order from the restaurant. I am sure it will be as delicious as a,ways
Thanks for letting us know, WSR.
I wasn’t aware of this restaurant before, but now I want to try their food to support them.