A bus driver from New York refuses to stop for hared man because of measles fears

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York is investigating a complaint filed by a haredi, who claims that a bus driver has refused to stop for him at a Brooklyn bus stop because of the l? measles epidemic.

The man said the bus driver passed the stop last week in the densely populated area of ​​Williamsburg, but he caught up with him after getting stuck in traffic jams. The bus driver finally let him in, covered his face with his sweater and refused to accept the transfer of the man shouting: "Measles! Come in! Brooklyn Paper reported.

The incident was reported to the MTA on Thursday by United Jewish organizations in Williamsburg, who are working with the city to curb the measles epidemic by educating the community and encouraging vaccination, according to The Forward.

"The measles outbreak should not be used as an excuse for anti-Semitism," the group said in a tweet.

A second tweet from the group added: "In reality, about 95% of the community is vaccinating. We, the rabbis and community leaders, work tirelessly to increase it. Not a justification to attack the entire community for the flaws of a few. "

The incident was reported to have taken place several days before New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio declared a public health emergency over the measles epidemic in the Brooklyn orthodox Orthodox community.

Since October, 285 cases of measles have been reported in the Orthodox Jewish community of Brooklyn, including 246 children. The Brooklyn epidemic was linked to an unvaccinated child who contracted the disease during a trip to Israel, the Washington Post reported.

Rabbi David Niederman, president of the United Jewish Organization, said at the Brooklyn Paper the Williamsburg Jewish haredi are harassed in the street by people shouting "Jews, measles".

"The MTA has zero tolerance for discrimination. We take this issue very seriously and we investigate, "said Max Young, the MTA's external relations officer.

De Blasio also said that his office had been in contact with the MTA as a result of the incident. Anti-Semitic discrimination does not belong in our city, "he said.