Posted on 12/29/19
| News Source: Arutz-7
Secretary of State on stabbing in Monsey: This despicable act of anti-Semitism during Hanukkah celebrations is sickening.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday condemned the stabbing attack against Hasidic Jews in Monsey, New York.
“I’m saddened to hear the news about the mass stabbing at an Orthodox rabbi's house in New York last night. This despicable act of anti-Semitism during Hanukkah celebrations is sickening. We offer our deepest condolences to the victims’ families and the Jewish community,” he tweeted.
Saturday night’s attack took place at approximately 9:50 p.m. while congregants gathered a Hasidic synagogue operated by Rabbi Rottenburg in Monsey, New York.
Some 50 to 60 people had gathered to light Hanukkah candles when the assailant, who was covering his face with a scarf, burst into the synagogue brandishing a machete, and began stabbing congregants.
Some congregants hurled chairs and a small table at the assailant, forcing him to flee.
The attacker drove off, making his way to New York City. Police found him roughly two hours later, at around midnight, after identifying his car via the license plate number.
The attacker, identified as 37-year-old Grafton Thomas, has been charged with five counts of attempted murder.
Earlier on Sunday, US President Donald Trump condemned the machete attack and called for a united front to “eradicate” anti-Semitism. Read more at Arutz-7