Texas Synagogue Hostage Situation Shows Evidence of Growing Anti-Semitism
By The Editorial Team
On Saturday morning, members of the Reform Jewish Synagogue in Fort Worth, Texas gathered together as per usual for their morning services, which were to be led by their rabbi, Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker. Service had started normally, the only difference being that a stranger had entered the synagogue looking for inclusion in prayer. Rabbi Cytron-Walker kindly invited the man in, unknowingly inviting in Malik Faisal Akram, who would hold him and three others hostage for eleven hours.
Cytron-Walker began services as normal, live-streaming them to viewers at home who were cautious of contracting COVID-19. Right as Cytron-Walker turned to face Jerusalem, he heard a click, later revealed to be Akram preparing his gun. Jeffrey Cohen, the vice president of the synagogue's Board of Trustees dialed 911 quietly in the pews, hoping for backup and support. At around 10:41 AM that morning, the police received the call, and soon enough, the perimeter of the synagogue was surrounded, with the FBI waiting. Inside, Akram continued to scream and hold the hostages at gunpoint, threatening them with a gun.
Over and over, Akram screamed, trying to inquire about finding the Chief Rabbi of the United States, claiming that, "Jews control the world. Jews control the media. Jews control the banks. I want to talk to Chief Rabbi of the United States," (CNN). As the other hostages were told to head to the back of the room, Cohen stuck to a nearby exit, moving closer as he heard more calls of police.
Akram repeatedly screamed about a convicted terrorist serving an 86-year sentence in Fort Worth, which is reported to be Aafia Siddiqui, a young, Pakistani woman guilty of attempted murder on U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan.
Over the course of several hours, the hostages tried to talk with Akram to buy time and to remain calm, whilst also rearranging chairs when they could to try and divert any shrapnel or bullets, need be. Eventually, when ordered by a belligerent Akram to kneel, Cytron-Walker mouthed, "No," threw a chair at Akram, and instructed the hostages to book it and run. Thankfully, the hostages were not harmed and were safe. Immediately after, Akram was seized by the FBI and was shot dead on the scene.
Reform Jewish Synagogue.
Photo courtesy of Forbes.
In response to the hostage situation, the Jewish Community, nationally, is on high alert, scared of any possible threats in the future. Many are exhausted of the constant anti-semitic treatment that still remains in the country. The hostage situation, which was later reported to be a terrorist act against the Jewish community, has caused fear amongst others.
Many of these synagogues and communities have had to resort to special training in case there are situations such as this, which Cytron-Walker and his members thankfully did know. The fact that this is the reality of the world we currently live in is rather sad, as the freedom of religion is the first, and arguably, the most important right we have as U.S. citizens. For one to have their rights taken from them is a scary and gut-wrenching feeling that no citizen should ever experience.
Additionally, most of the comments made by Akram were anti-semitic, showing evidence to the terrorist-backed actions. This is not the first time that this explanation has come up, however, it is still incredibly sad to hear time and time again. In America, the Jewish community is just one amongst the many different religious communities to be discriminated against, and the growth of anti-semitic incidents is rather alarming. Just back in 2018, a gunman opened fire on the crowd, whilst making anti-semitic comments, at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (CNN). Sadly, even in our own community, Rockland has seen an increase in anti-semitic actions. Back in November, at a public meeting in the Haverstraw Town Hall, 45 year-old Nick Colella began to go off on a tangent about the Orthodox Jewish Community (CBS Local). He continued to make grotesque comments about running over Jewish people for not wearing reflective clothing at night, to which members in the crowd laughed and snickered. Although subtle, this kind of behavior is just mere evidence of the growing anti-semitism the Jewish community faces.
We begin to face the acts and ponder why these hate crimes and subtle remarks are still occurring. Many Jewish people are often wrongfully to blame for economic, social, and other issues that are out of their control. Holly Huffnagle of the American Jewish Committee explains the rise in anti-semitism over the years, "We're seeing a fading legacy of the Holocaust where young people today are unaware of where unchecked anti-semitism can lead." (WTTW). In addition, social media has become a breeding zone for tons of anti-semitic forums and accounts, in which hate is transported around the web. Many Jewish creators face anti-semitism on a daily basis, which makes it rather hard to live their day-to-day lives, as they are constantly bombarded with comments. How can we, as Americans, claim to be a great and accepting nation if we do not even accept our own people?
Despite all of this hate, we must try our best to combat it and attack the roots. In our country, we must remember our values as U.S. citizens; we all share the freedom of religion and right to practice whatever we please. To try and understand the fear and overall perspective of the Jewish community, talking to someone you know who is a part of the community can greatly help. When we begin to understand where the root of anti-semitism is coming from, we can attack it and begin to deconstruct the hate. In addition, speaking out and having the courage to stand up for members of the Jewish community greatly helps, as remaining silent only furthers the spread of hate. We must remember that Jewish people are human, just like the rest of us, and deserve the same amount of respect and courtesy. No one should live in fear of their religious beliefs or practices, especially when their country promotes safe practice. As Americans, we must remember that our country is a melting pot of vast people and cultures, and in order for peace to be maintained and shared, we must respect one another, and it starts with the smallest actions.
Jewish Community of Haverstraw gathers at Bowline Point Park after a rise in anti-semitic crimes.
Photo courtesy of Vox.
Cover photo courtesy of Institute for Global Change.