Two Men Stabbed in Antisemitic Attack Outside Manhattan Synagogue

Two men, one Jewish and one Asian, were stabbed outside an Orthodox synagogue on Manhattan's Upper West Side late Thursday night. The attacker reportedly shouted "Allahu Akbar" during the assaults. Both victims, 57-year-old Chok Sung and 50-year-old Moshe Yitzhak Gronhaus, were hospitalized in stable condition and expected to be released soon. The attacker, identified as Raoul Morales, was arrested at the scene after a citizen helped police locate him.

New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the investigation is ongoing to determine the motive, with hate crime charges under consideration. Although Morales has no known history of mental illness, initial findings suggest his mental state may have contributed to the incident. There is no known connection between the attacker and the victims or between the victims themselves.

The stabbing has sparked condemnation from officials including New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, who called it an antisemitic stabbing and emphasized the need for safety for all residents regardless of faith or identity. New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed shock and vowed to uphold the law to protect the Jewish community.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon sharply criticized New York Mayor Eric Adams, accusing him of fostering an environment of incitement against Jews through his rhetoric on Israel. Adams responded by confirming the police briefing and noting the investigation into potential hate crime motives.

This attack adds to a recent rise in antisemitic incidents in New York, heightening fears within the Orthodox Jewish community. A recent survey found that 58% of American Jews feel less safe than the previous year, with 57% personally experiencing antisemitism in the past year.