Two Men Stabbed Outside Manhattan Synagogue in Suspected Antisemitic Attack

Two men, one Jewish and one Asian, were stabbed late Thursday night outside an Orthodox synagogue on Manhattan's Upper West Side, near Central Park. Both victims were taken to hospital in stable condition and are expected to be released soon. The suspect, 51-year-old Raul Morales, was arrested at the scene by New York Police Department (NYPD).

According to police and eyewitnesses, Morales shouted "Allahu Akbar" during the attacks. The first victim, 57-year-old Chok Sung, was stabbed with a knife, while the second, 50-year-old Orthodox Jew Moshe Yitzhak Gronhaus, was attacked with a screwdriver. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the investigation is ongoing to determine the motive and whether the incident constitutes a hate crime. She noted Morales has no known history of mental illness but that mental health may be a factor.

New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin condemned the stabbing as an antisemitic act and emphasized the real fear within the Jewish community. Mayor Zoran Mamdani confirmed the suspect’s arrest and said the police are treating the case as a potential hate crime. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon criticized Mayor Mamdani for allegedly inciting hostility against Jews and Israel, linking such rhetoric to the attack.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed shock at the senseless attack and vowed that New York would stand firmly with its Jewish community. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for stronger measures to protect minority communities in the city.