Synagogue hostage situation brings conversation to forefront.
Over the weekend, a Muslim British national held several hostages at gunpoint in a Jewish synagogue in Colleyville, Texas. They were taken captive as they were leading Shabbat over Zoom. The hostages managed to escape after 10 hours. On Monday, the FBI and the DHS released a joint letter, saying these acts of extremism against faith-based groups have been prevalent in the past and will most certainly continue to be prevalent in the future.
“This kind of threat did not begin when this attack started yesterday, and it will not end with the hostages free,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said. “We need to ensure that we not only protect our houses of worship and all places of assembly, but that we become aware of the signs that someone is going down a path toward violence.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Homeland Security officials as they partner with Congress to address violence against Jewish worshippers through legislation.
- For FBI agents as they address violence against Jewish worshippers through digital research and monitoring.
- That the president and his administration will accurately identify and prevent extremist and terrorist threats.
Sources: AP, the Hill
