In the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, a black truck resembling the vehicles used by Hamas terrorists on October 7 has sparked significant alarm. Locally dubbed the "Hamas Truck," it is regularly parked near the local Chabad and its preschool, adorned with chilling images of blood and bloody hands, fake bullets, Palestinian flags and a portrait of dead Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Instead of numbers, its apparently fake license plate reads "OH GAZA."
Jewish and Israeli residents of the neighborhood say the truck's presence is a blatant provocation and a painful reminder of the horrific abduction and murder attacks carried out by Hamas in southern Israel about 10 months ago.
"This is a trauma that resurfaces every time I see this truck," said Dafna, a neighborhood resident, in an interview with Ynet. "I've lived here for over a decade, raised my children here, and the fact that such a truck is parked near their school is simply unbearable."
Michael, another resident, added: "This truck isn't just a vehicle; it's a symbol of hatred and terror. When I see it, I feel like someone is trying to scare us, to make us feel unsafe in the place we call home."
The truck belongs to 21-year-old Jose Litef, a local resident. Despite repeated requests from residents and journalists, he has refused to respond or address the complaints. He has been seen several times at the vehicle's location, playing loud Arabic music. Additionally, he has asked the police to remove journalists and neighborhood residents, claiming they are harassing him.
His stepbrother, Anas Arman, 34, claims that Litef is too young to understand the damage he is causing.
"He doesn't understand the symbolism of the bloody hands and their impact on the Jewish community," said Arman. According to him, he and his brother are of Palestinian origin. "We love Palestine, but we just want to be good neighbors," he said.
The two brothers have been operating a Caribbean food truck in the neighborhood for over six years. Neighborhood residents have approached the police about the matter, but for now, the truck doesn't seem to be going anywhere.