MONSEY – Five people who were attending a Hanukkah party at 47 Forshay Road in Monsey Saturday evening were attacked and stabbed by an intruder.
Ramapo Town Police said the man fled the scene, but was apprehended and is in custody.
The conditions of those who were attacked were not immediately known.
(video: Mark Lieb, Rockland Video Productions)
Governor Andrew Cuomo was quick to condemn the attack.
“This was a despicable and cowardly act, and I am directing the State Police hate crimes task force to immediately investigate and to use every tool available to hold the attacker accountable to the fullest extent of the law. State Police are currently on the scene assisting local law enforcement,” Cuomo said. “Let me be clear: anti-Semitism and bigotry of any kind are repugnant to our values of inclusion and diversity and we have absolutely zero tolerance for such acts of hate. In New York we will always stand up and say with one voice to anyone who wishes to divide and spread fear: you do not represent New York and your actions will not go unpunished.”
“Violence of any kind will not be tolerated here in Rockland. I stand with the people of this county in condemning this attack and ask all to offer their thoughts, hopes and prayers for a speedy recovery for the victims of this heinous crime,” said County Executive Edwin Day. “As a former police commander, people need to know that law enforcement in Rockland will leave no stone un-turned as they bring those guilty of this crime to swift and severe justice.”
State Senator David Carlucci was “shocked and deeply saddened by a horrific and disturbing act of mass violence at a rabbi’s home in Monsey. We have seen an increase in anti-Semitic attacks and heard troubling rhetoric. We must be extremely forceful in our denouncement of such hate or violence. Everyone should be able to worship safely in this country. I stand with the Jewish community in this time of grief and pray for those injured and their families.”
“New York stands in solidarity with the people of Monsey following the heinous attack at the home of Rabbi Rottenberg,” said State Assemblyman Karl Brabenec. “I have the privilege of serving this community in the Assembly and I know that their faith is deep and their hearts are strong. I join them in prayers for the victims and their families, and in resolve to defy and overcome hatred with justice.”
(video: Mark Lieb, Rockland Video Productions)
Reuven Rivlin, the president of Israel, said he is “shocked and outraged by the terrible attack in New York.”
In a tweet, the president wrote that he “prayed for the recovery of those injured. #anti-Semitism is not just a #Jewish problem, and certainly not just the State of #Israel’s problem. We must work together to confront this rising evil, which is a global threat.”
Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney said, “Randy and I join the Hudson Valley as we pray for those hurt in last night’s horrific stabbing attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Monsey. I will continue to monitor this situation, and work with state and local law enforcement and leaders to address the rise of hate crimes against the Jewish community in New York. We cannot tolerate anti-Semitism in any form.”
Maloney said, “Hate has no home in the Hudson Valley.”
