New York troopers were stationed outside Temple Israel in Albany on Friday following an incident where a man fired two rounds into the air outside the synagogue. The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, was armed with a shotgun. Thankfully, no one was injured in the incident. Alkhader fled to a nearby parking lot but was quickly apprehended by authorities. The motive behind the attack appears to be a potential hate crime, as Alkhader reportedly made a comment about “free Palestine” during the incident.
Alkhader, an Iraqi-born U.S. citizen from Schenectady, New York, appeared in federal court on Friday and was charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm. Prosecutors are currently investigating the incident as a potential hate crime. New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her commitment to ensuring the security of the congregation and announced increased patrols by state police and the New York National Guard at synagogues, yeshivas, and Jewish community centers statewide.
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The incident comes at a time when antisemitic incidents have surged across the country. According to the Anti-Defamation League, there has been a 316% increase in antisemitic incidents in the first month following the start of the Israel-Hamas war compared to the same period last year. New York City Mayor Eric Adams emphasized the importance of making communities feel safe and stated that no New Yorkers should ever feel targeted because of their beliefs or identity.
Rabbi Marc Katz of Temple Ner Tamid in New Jersey, who had previously faced an attempted firebombing, urged his congregation not to let antisemitism win and to stand firm in their resolve. Temple Israel in Albany had also received a bomb threat in September.
Alkhader will remain in custody pending trial. He was forbidden from possessing a firearm due to a previous conviction for unlawful possession of marijuana. Governor Hochul plans to attend Shabbat services at Temple Israel to show her support and solidarity with the congregation.
