“Someone came into the house, his face was covered with something,” Rabbi Yisrael Cohen told Israel’s Channel 12. “He came with a big knife and started doing what he did. It’s not something we are used to here.”Another person who was at the home at the time of the attack told The New York Times, “I prayed for my life.” He described the weapon in the attack as “a broom-sized knife.”According to a report on Channel 13, Rottenberg urged congregants to continue their Hanukkah celebrations once the event was over and the wounded evacuated and treated. The next morning, community members attended the adjacent synagogue for prayers where they said Hagomel, the Blessing of Thanksgiving for after a close call with danger.COMMUNITY MEMBERS reportedly threw tables and chairs at the perpetrator and chased him out. He ran next door to the adjacent synagogue, but they managed to block his entry because the door was locked. Eventually he escaped in the silver Nissan in which he was caught by police hours later.One congregant told Channel 13 that Grafton shouted, “I hate you” and “I’ll get you,” as he evacuated the premises.Though police did not release many details, they did confirm that Grafton has a criminal record.New York City Police Commissioner Dermot F. Shea tweeted in praise of the officers who helped apprehend the suspect: “Outstanding work by officers Radziwon and Mattera.”Video from the scene of the stabbings at a synagogue in Monsey where Chassidim were gathered for a Hanukkah celebration. pic.twitter.com/wQhWp9SrdA
— Motti Seligson (@mottiseligson) December 29, 2019
In addition to Cuomo, other New York officials responded immediately to the incident, leaving no doubt that they view it as an antisemitic attack.“So many Jewish families in our city have close ties to Monsey,” said New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We cannot overstate the fear people are feeling right now.“I’ve spoken to long-time friends who, for the first time in their lives, are fearful to show outward signs of their Jewish faith.”New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson wrote on Twitter, “This is absolutely horrible. Much more needs to be done immediately to keep Jewish communities safe.”Similarly, Rep. Ted Deutch condemned the incident.“This horrific violence against the Jewish community must be confronted by everyone in America.”New York State Attorney-General Letitia James tweeted, “There is zero tolerance for acts of hate of any kind and we will continue to monitor this horrific situation. I stand with the Jewish community tonight and every night.”Also, Dov Hikind, a former New York State assemblyman and the founder of Americans Against Antisemitism, tweeted: “An attack on one Jew, is an attack on all Jews.”He said three weeks ago he submitted a proposal to combat antisemitism with de Blasio. The plan includes several steps, including that the mayor “declare a crisis,” comparing the recent spike in antisemitic crimes to the measles outbreak in New York City that started in September 2018.Hikind also recommended holding meetings between Black and Jewish leaders, increasing police presence and providing counseling, among other initiatives.Ivanka Trump called the attack “vicious” and “an act of pure evil.Last night, a keen eye & quick response by @NYPD32Pct cops led to the apprehension of a suspect wanted in connection with the horrific attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Monsey.Outstanding work by Officers Radziwon & Mattera. pic.twitter.com/yyZ6sZEOsS
— Commissioner Shea (@NYPDShea) December 29, 2019
“We need authorities to provide increased protection NOW and ensure that the full force of the law is brought down on those who perpetrate such horrific crimes,” he tweeted.Jason Greenblatt, reacted: “Horrible!!!” The former US special envoy to the Middle East called on people to “pray for the wounded of this & the other recent attacks upon Jews in NY this week.”This is the second stabbing attack in Monsey in the last two months. In November, a man jumped out of his car and stabbed a father on his way to synagogue, gouging his eye.On Friday, de Blasio announced that an increased police presence would be deployed in the Borough Park, Crown Heights and Williamsburg neighborhoods of Brooklyn in response to the incidents.NYPD’s Shea confirmed Sunday that “we will continue our increased patrols and the deployment of @NYPDCT officers at key locations to ensure that everyone is safe during the holiday season and into the New Year.”But in interviews with local and international TV some residents said they were fed up with waiting.“Stop the B.S.,” one resident said. “Tell us what you are going to do.”In September, the New York State Department reported that more than half of the hate crimes reported in New York City in 2019 were antisemitic in nature. Most of the incidents reported were acts of vandalism, such as graffiti or swastikas on places like synagogues.Overall, antisemitic hate crimes in NYC are up 63% in 2019 compared to last year, the State Department reported. As of September, there were 152 reports of antisemitic hate crimes, up from 93 reported in the same period the year prior.•The vicious attack of a rabbi in Monsey, NY last night was an act of pure evil. As we pray for the victims, may the candles of Chanukah burn bright through this darkness.
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) December 29, 2019