Several Israeli leaders on Sunday condemned a stabbing attack at a Synagogue in Monsey, New York on Saturday night that left five people wounded.
By Arye Green, TPS
According to local police, a man entered a synagogue in Monsey, New York pulled out a machete and began to stab people. Five victims were hospitalized, two in critical condition.
The victims of the attack were Hassidic Jews who were reportedly gathered at the synagogue, known as “Rabbi Rottenburg’s Shul,” for a Chanukah party. The synagogue is located in Rockland County, approximately an hour from New York City.
Multiple reports identified the perpetrator as a black man with a scarf on his face, and a description of the vehicle he used to get away was given to local law enforcement, which later arrested a suspect matching the description.
President Reuven Rivlin tweeted that he is “shocked and dismayed by the terrible terror attack in New York.”
“Our prayers for a speedy recovery go out to the victims. The rising anti-Semitism is not only a problem for Jews and certainly not for Israel alone. We must work together to confront this evil which is, again and again, raising its head and represents a real danger to the entire world,” he wrote.
Yisrael Beytenu leader, Member of Knesset (MK) Avigdor Liberman, also wished the victims of the Monsey stabbing a quick recovery and added that the solution to anti-Semitism is for them to immigrate to Israel.
“Again and again, we witness to the horrific consequences of anti-Semitism, this time in Monsey, New York. Alongside the deep sorrow and wishes for a speedy recovery to those wounded in the attack, it is important to know that the primary solution to this phenomenon is immigration to Israel,” he tweeted.
MK Yair Lapid of the Blue and White party sent a message of hope to the Jewish community in Monsey following the stabbing.
“Anti-Semitism won’t defeat us, won’t destroy our spirit. The community in Monsey will light the last candle of Hanukkah today and pray for good news.”
Jason Greenblatt, head of the Anti-Defamation League, called for more security protection for Jewish communities.
“After the hateful assaults we saw this past week in Brooklyn and Manhattan, it is heart-wrenching to see the holiday of Hanukkah violated yet again. We are outraged because the answer is clear: the Jewish community NEEDS greater protection,” he tweeted.
New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio said he would not let attacks on Jews become the “new normal,” adding that extra police forces have already been deployed in certain Jewish areas.
“We will NOT allow this to become the new normal. We’ll use every tool we have to stop these attacks once and for all. The NYPD has deployed a visible and growing presence around Jewish houses of worship on the streets in communities like Williamsburg, Crown Heights and Boro Park,” he tweeted.
