UPDATE: Hostage Crisis at Texas Synagogue

 

1:32 pm Sunday January 16 2022 Dear ADL community, Here is what we know about the horrifying hostage situation that has been happening today in Texas: A man reportedly demanding the release of convicted terrorist Aafia Siddiqui entered Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas during Shabbat services and took four hostages. At this time, there are no reported injuries, and it is reported that one of the hostages has been released. The services were being livestreamed by the congregation and ADL’s Center on Extremism has reviewed portions of the recording. It is unclear at present how, if at all, the suspect has ties to Siddiqui. Local, state and federal law enforcement, including the FBI, are on scene. ADL’s Central Division Vice President Cheryl Drazin is also there, where she is helping to lead the community through this difficult time. She and others at ADL are actively engaged with the FBI, local authorities and communal organizations. Our Center on Extremism has been tracking Siddiqui for more than a decade. She is currently serving an 86-year sentence on two counts of attempted murder, armed assault, using and carrying a firearm and assault of U.S. officers and employees. She shot at U.S. FBI and Army personnel while she was in detention in Afghanistan. She has been open and explicit in her antisemitism and it is worth noting that Islamic terrorist groups, including ISIS, have attempted to exchange hostages for her release. Unfortunately, the crisis in Colleyville is just the latest event to show that being on edge and being vigilant is now very much part of the American Jewish experience. In the past few years, as antisemitism has reached a high-water mark in the United States, our polls have shown that Americans have become increasingly concerned about antisemitism and their personal and communal security. This has particularly been true in the aftermath of the mass shootings at synagogues in Pittsburgh in 2018 and Poway in 2019 and the subsequent attacks on Jewish targets in Jersey City and Monsey; as well as at other times of crisis, such as the antisemitism that was on full display during the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville in 2017. Last year, the surge in antisemitism in the United States was particularly dramatic and violent during the period of hostilities between Israel and Hamas. Please look for our latest updates about the crisis on ADL’s Twitter feed; you can find additional information and resources on our website. We will send updates as we get more information. These are the times when the work of the ADL community matters most, and when all of those who are concerned about antisemitism must show a commitment to the Good Fight. We are praying for a peaceful resolution and will keep you updated. Sincerely, Jonathan Greenblatt CEO and National Director ADL