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Monsey stabbing: Five people wounded at home of New York rabbi Monsey stabbing: Five people wounded at home of New York rabbi
(32 minutes later)
At least five people have been stabbed at the house of a rabbi in New York state, police say.At least five people have been stabbed at the house of a rabbi in New York state, police say.
The house in Monsey, north of New York city, was hosting a religious celebration when the attacker burst in, according to the Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Council (OJPAC). The house in Monsey, north of New York City, was hosting a religious celebration when the attacker burst in, according to the Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Council (OJPAC).
The suspect fled but was later taken into custody, police said. The motive was not immediately clear.The suspect fled but was later taken into custody, police said. The motive was not immediately clear.
One of the victims was stabbed at least six times, OJPAC said in a tweet.One of the victims was stabbed at least six times, OJPAC said in a tweet.
CBS New York reported that a man brandishing a machete attacked a Hanukkah celebration at the rabbi's property in Monsey - an area with a large population of ultra-Orthodox Jews. The incident happened at about 22:00 on Saturday (03:00 GMT Sunday). The attack came a day after New York city police said officers were stepping up patrols in heavily Jewish districts following a spate of anti-Semitic threats and attacks.
What happened?
A man brandishing a machete attacked a Hanukkah celebration at the rabbi's property in Monsey - an area with a large population of ultra-Orthodox Jews, CBS New York reported. The incident happened at about 22:00 on Saturday (03:00 GMT Sunday).
"The house had many dozens of people in there," Yossi Gestetner, a co-founder of OJPAC for the Hudson Valley region, told the New York Times."The house had many dozens of people in there," Yossi Gestetner, a co-founder of OJPAC for the Hudson Valley region, told the New York Times.
Aron Kohn, 65, was in the rabbi's home at the time. He told the paper: "I was praying for my life. He started attacking people right away as soon as he came in the door. We didn't have time to react at all."
Mr Kohn said that the attacker then tried to enter a synagogue next to the house, but people inside had locked the door.
Reports said the attacker fled the scene in a car and some witnesses noted the number plate. Police said later they had located a matching vehicle and arrested a suspect.Reports said the attacker fled the scene in a car and some witnesses noted the number plate. Police said later they had located a matching vehicle and arrested a suspect.
The New York Police counter-terrorism unit said it was "closely monitoring" the reports. What reaction has there been?
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said the stabbings were a "despicable and cowardly act".
"Anti-Semitism and bigotry of any kind are repugnant to our values of inclusion and diversity ad we have absolutely zero tolerance for such acts of hate," he said in a statement.
Letitia James, the New York Attorney General, said she was "deeply disturbed" by the situation.Letitia James, the New York Attorney General, said she was "deeply disturbed" by the situation.
"There is zero tolerance for acts of hate of any kind and we will continue to monitor this horrific situation," she said in a Twitter post."There is zero tolerance for acts of hate of any kind and we will continue to monitor this horrific situation," she said in a Twitter post.
The attack came a day after New York city police said officers were stepping up patrols in heavily Jewish districts following a spate of anti-Semitic threats and attacks. The New York Police counter-terrorism unit said it was "closely monitoring" the reports.
"Hate doesn't have a home in our city," Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted on Friday. The attack follows a series of anti-Semitic threats and attacks in and around New York City. On Friday Mayor Bill de Blasio announced extra police patrols in three areas of Brooklyn.
Responding to the attack in Monsey, Mr de Blasio said he could not "overstate the fear people are feeling right now".
"We will not allow this to become the new normal. We'll use every tool we have to stop these attacks once and for all," he said.
The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah marks the victory of Judah Maccabee over the Syrian Greeks in the Second Century BC and the recapture of Jerusalem.The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah marks the victory of Judah Maccabee over the Syrian Greeks in the Second Century BC and the recapture of Jerusalem.