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The NYPD has announced its hate crime task force will be investigating an incident outside of a Midwood synagogue Thursday. According to police, a van was menacing three people crossing the road as they attempted to enter the Shaare Shalom Synagogue, shouting antisemitic remarks, and attempting to swerve into the people before stopping at the last minute and fleeing. Witnesses tell News 12 they would not let the event deter them, and had a full Shabat service on Friday, with a large police and security presence outside of the area. Those in attendance declined to be identified but told the News 12 they appreciated the police presence and hope it can act as a deterrent against future incidents. Members told News 12 that they were glad that a hate crime unit was being called in to investigate, saying that they hope that justice can be served. The incident comes just four days before the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks. According to NYPD
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in the year since the attacks,
275 antisemitic i