A former magician, identified as Noah Schaffer, and his wife Kelly have been caught on camera tearing down posters of Israeli children who are currently being held by Hamas. The incident occurred this past weekend at Brooklyn Bridge Park and has caused an uproar in the community.
The couple’s actions were caught on camera by a bystander and were quickly shared on social media. In the video, the couple is seen being confronted by a Jewish woman who was outraged by their actions. The incident was brought to the attention of the group StopAntisemitism who then shared it on their platform.
The couple has since been identified as spouses Kelly Ann and Noah Schaffer. Kelly, a social worker for Urban Dove, was previously arrested for her involvement in a protest against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement in New Jersey. Her husband Noah, who worked as an executive strategist at Human Factors International (HFI), has been placed on unpaid leave by his father, Eric Schaffer, the CEO of HFI.
Eric Schaffer addressed the incident in an email to his staff, stating that his son’s actions were reprehensible and that they are not condoned by HFI in any way. He also mentioned that the company has no association with terrorism and is horrified by the current situation in Israel. He went on to say that Noah has been placed on unpaid leave for four months to reflect on his actions and learn more about his Jewish family history. After this time, the company will review whether he can rejoin the company.
The couple has also deleted their social media and LinkedIn accounts. They were identified along with Marc Louvet, 45, a financier who was captured on video being confronted after ripping down posters on the Upper East Side. Louvet, who lives with his Middle Eastern girlfriend, had worked at the investment firm VanEck. The company has placed him on leave and has issued a statement stating that they do not endorse such actions or statements and that they are investigating the incident and their legal options.
The incident has caused a stir in the community, with the couple and Louvet facing backlash for their actions. This incident is not an isolated one, as several instances of New Yorkers tearing down similar posters have surfaced. An NYU student was also caught on camera tearing down posters around their campus, and teenagers on the Upper East Side were seen doing the same on their walk home.
The situation in Israel is a sensitive one, and these posters were meant to bring awareness to the children currently being held by Hamas. The actions of these individuals have only added to the tension and have sparked outrage among the community. As the investigation continues, the repercussions for their actions are yet to be seen.