Timeline of an antisemitic attack – 5 Chassids hospitalised – 2 serious
Five people have been rushed to hospital when an assailant crashed a Chanukah party and stabbed five people.
The Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Council for the Hudson Valle region has tweeted the timeline of a mass stabbing at a Chassidic rabbi’s home in Rockland County 30 miles from New York.
At 9:50 this eve, a call came in about a mass stabbing at 47 Forshay Road in Monsey (Rockland County; 30 miles North of NYC). It’s the house of a Hasidic Rabbi. 5 patients with stab wounds, all Hasidic, were transported to local hospitals.
2 of the victims of the attack were taken into hospital as critical. The perp’s face was partially covered with a scarf but skin showed him to be an African American.
One of the victims was stabbed at least 6 times. The fifth/least severe case had a cut in his hand. Perp left in a vehicle with tag number HPT-5757 per the person who saw it and we confirmed it with him directly (but it was dark and rushed.) a Gray Nissan Sentra.
Full LE response on the scene in Monsey including Town PD, County Sheriff and we are told that Feds are on the way. Elected officials and NGOs such as @ADL_NYNJ are here too.
9:32 PM – 28 Dec 2019 Statement from @NYGovCuomo on #Monsey Stabbing: “I am directing the State Police hate crimes task force to immediately investigate and to use every tool available. State Police are currently on the scene.”
9:58 PM – 28 Dec 2019 UPDATE: Rockland County detectives and Ramapo PD sent a team to pick up the suspect that has been arrested by the NYPD.
UPDATE: The suspect is being interviewed in NYPD’s 32nd precinct. Was alone in the vehicle during the stop. Has no prior arrest.
VIDEO of the vehicle driven by the attacker. Note the plate/tag digits. Thank you all who shared our earlier tweet. pic.twitter.com/PGgOhBD3qO
— OJPAC Hudson Valley (@OJPACHV) December 29, 2019
Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin stated: “[I am] shocked and outraged by the terrible attack in New York. We are praying for the rapid recovery of those injured. The rise of antisemitism is not just a Jewish problem, and certainly not just the State of Israel’s problem. We must work together to confront this evil, which is raising its head again and is a genuine threat around the world.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Sunday morning cabinet meeting: “Israel strongly condemns the recent displays of antisemitism including the vicious attack at the home of a rabbi in Monsey, New York, during Chanukah.
We send our best wishes for recovery to the wounded. We will cooperate however possible with the local authorities in order to assist in defeating this phenomenon. We offer our assistance to every country.”
Several other Israeli leaders on Sunday condemned the stabbing attack in Monsey, New York.
According to local police, a man entered a synagogue in Monsey, 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.
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.
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 antisemitism is for them to immigrate to Israel.
“Again and again, we witness to the horrific consequences of antisemitism, 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 Chanukah 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 Chanukah 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.
With Arye Green/TPS
