Five people have been stabbed at a rabbi’s suburban home in what New York’s governor called an “act of domestic terrorism”, coming amid a series of anti-Semitic attacks in the region.
The attack occurred at about 10pm on Saturday night as people gathered at the home of Rabbi Chaim Rottenberg in Monsey, north of New York City, to celebrate the seventh night of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. The town is home to a large community of ultra-Orthodox Jews.
The suspect, according to witnesses and police, burst into Rabbi Rottenberg’s home and immediately began attacking the congregants with a large knife. He then tried to enter the synagogue next door, but found the door locked. One of the victims was reported to be in a critical condition.