In New York City last week, Miss Israel Noa Cochva was confronted by an antisemitic woman who made threats against her while she was attempting to have calm interactions with other residents about Israel.
On Monday, Cochva took part in a social experiment that was conducted by the organisation Facts for Peace. During the experiment, she strolled around Washington Square Park in New York City while holding a sign that stated, “I’m an IDF [Israel Defence Forces] soldier, ask me anything.” She was greeted by some pro-Israel supporters who hugged her and complimented her for being courageous and coming out in solidarity with the Jewish state.
The beauty queen, who was 25 years old at the time, had represented Israel in the Miss Universe pageant that was held in Eilat in 2021. A military officer from the United States of America stopped to talk with Cochva, and throughout their conversation, she discussed how she felt a sense of purpose for serving her country. During the continuing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, Cochva served as a combat medic.
On the other hand, she was met with a hostile reaction from other New Yorkers, some of whom referred to her as a “war criminal” and stated, “This is f—king stupid.” It is time for you people to go home. When a guy asked Cochva, “How do you sleep at night?” she responded with a clap, saying, “I sleep really well because I know I’m on the right side of history.”
The former beauty pageant queen could be seen in a video from the social experiment that was released on Instagram by both Facts for Peace and Cochva. In the video, she was seen chatting to a man on camera when a woman interrupted their conversation and remarked, “I’m sorry to interrupt, I heard there was a Zionist here.”
The same woman hurled a knife at the squad that was led by Cochva, shouted at them, and insulted them by referring to them as “little Zionists.” In addition to that, she explained to the cameraman from Cochva that “My daddy owns your little Jewish b—ch daddy.”
She dodged the opportunity to discuss with the beauty queen by offering reasons such as “No, I only care about being seen” and “I only speak ASL” (American Sign Language). This was in response to the invitation that was extended to her by the group that was being introduced to her. She went on to say, “Oh, you’re a Zionist,” in response to the fact that one of the men in Cochva’s group declined her request for some of his water. It makes sense to me.”
Following the event, Cochva recorded a video in which she offered her thoughts on the events that transpired, as well as the criticism she received from fans of Israel. She appeared before the camera and said, “I was just trying to have peaceful conversations with them.” She did this while holding back tears. On the other hand, being a witness to anything like that is an entirely different experience. This is not something that we can allow to take place.
The lady who was seen holding a knife was identified as Ruby Marzovilla on Wednesday by the Instagram account Jew Hate Database. Marzovilla is a graduate of Oberlin College in Ohio and works as a “professional performing artist” and “transformative mediator,” as stated on her LinkedIn page.
Instagram Page Exposes the Complete Backstory
During a film shoot for the organisation “Facts for Peace,” Ruby was interrupted by the model “noacochva,” who threatened her and the other members of the team with a knife.
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This post contains threats and harsh statements, and Instagram users should be aware of this. Through this sharing, we hope to raise awareness and contribute to the prevention of future acts of violence. Any form of hate speech is not acceptable to us.
The Hidden Impact of the Ruby Marzovilla Case — And Why It Should Concern Us All
Verified Knife Threat Incidents
- In a reported case, two men threatened a 17-year-old teen with a knife, while shouting antisemitic and anti-gay slurs—a stark example of such incidents impacting religious and LGBTQ+ youth.
- In April 2022, six Jewish boys in Manhattan were menaced with a sword, knife, and crowbar by teenage assailants who specifically targeted them because of their faith.
Broader Antisemitic Threat Trends
- In 2024, the ADL recorded 1,437 antisemitic incidents in New York State—an 18% increase over 2023, marking the highest total ever in a single year.
- That same year, NYC experienced a 45% surge in antisemitic hate crimes, with 96 reported incidents through mid-April—up from 66 in early 2023.
- In March 2025, antisemitic acts made up 57% of all hate crimes in NYC, an uptick from 54% the previous year .
Response & Monitoring
- A Community Security Initiative (CSI) flagged and referred 221 credible threats against Jewish New Yorkers in 2024, including violent plots and explicit death threats.
- NYC launched a dedicated Office to Combat Antisemitism in May 2025 to monitor, coordinate legal responses, and prevent violent outbreaks following the sharp rise in hate incidents.
Recent data on antisemitic incidents in New York reveals a deeply concerning rise in both frequency and severity. There have been at least two verified incidents of knife-wielding antisemitic threats, reported in 2022 and 2025, targeting Jewish individuals, including minors.
According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), New York State recorded 1,437 antisemitic incidents in 2024, marking the highest total ever documented.
In New York City specifically, antisemitic hate crimes surged by 45% during the first four months of 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year. By March 2025, these incidents accounted for 57% of all hate crimes in the city.
Additionally, the Community Security Initiative (CSI) flagged 221 credible threats against Jewish individuals and institutions in 2024, underscoring the persistent and escalating danger faced by Jewish communities across the state.
Why It Matters
The documented cases of knife threats—especially targeting minors—are symptomatic of a broader escalation in violent antisemitic behavior. With antisemitic acts now constituting over half of NYC’s hate crimes, city authorities and security initiatives are stepping up to prevent further violence. These statistics highlight the urgent need for vigilance, community protection, and sustained policy response.
