A New York City plastic surgeon who has been treating victims of Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacre for free said he and his practice have been inundated with violent threats for almost a year because of his outspoken philanthropy.
Dr. Ira Savetsky says he is now in regular contact with the NYPD, FBI and the mayor’s office over the cascade of hate — which at times takes the form of hundreds of harassing calls and messages to his medical practice every day.
“I would say there was an initial wave within a few weeks after October 7 and then I had a huge uptick of threats and attacks in January,” Savetsky, 39, said. “I’ve definitely increased the security of my office and even our home.”
Helayne Seidman
“They got, got a hold of my wife’s WhatsApp and they were sending her pictures of her parents house in Texas, saying, like, we’re coming for your family,” Savetsky recalled.
In one phone call to his Park Avenue practice, an unhinged caller warned “I am going to come to your office and beat the s— out of you, Monday morning 9am get ready.” Another caller said “I hope you commit suicide, please kill yourself in front of your kids.”
Both voicemails — and many others — were forwarded to the FBI.
“F— YOU YOU DISGUSTING JEW BAG CRIMINAL,” Savetsky received in an Instagram message. “Hopefully somebody will kill u … you are the vermin and scum of this planet.”
Courtesy of Dr. Ira Savetsky
Savetsky and his wife — former Real Housewife star Lizzy Savetsky — have long been known for their outspoken support of the state of Israel — efforts which they redoubled after Hamas’ deadly Oct. 7 terrorist attack.
Over the last year, Ira Savetsky has been offering free reconstructive procedures for American victims of antisemitic violence — as well as Oct. 7 survivors.
In June he operated on an IDF soldier named David who suffered injuries to his face during the attack. Savetsky later met up with him in Israel, where he was recovering through the services of the nonprofit BelevEchad — which provides rehabilitative services wounded Israeli soldiers.
“They got ambushed by about 400 terrorists. And David was there fighting. He unfortunately lost several people in his unit, and he got injured while fighting and also while actually saving a few people,” Savetsky said.
Savetsky said he’s filed at least five police reports since Oct. 7 — but so far there have been no arrests.
“I have great respect for law enforcement and believe they are working hard to protect us, taking these threats very seriously,” he said but added that “I wish there was more decisive action taken against those who have threatened us.”
