Random act or antisemitic attack?

Congregation Beth Israel president Michael Finfer, who was not among the hostages, appeared to suggest that Malik Faisal Akram had not deliberately targeted the synagogue, calling the attack “random”.

“We know that a situation of this magnitude could increase the concern many of us live with on a day-to-day basis due to antisemitism,” said Finfer.

“It is important to note that this was a random act of violence. Indeed, there was a one-in-a-million chance that the gunman picked our congregation…”

Finfer’s comments are at odds with most officials who described the incident as a deliberate antisemitic terror attack.

US President Joe Biden called the weekend hostage crisis an “act of terror,” insisting, “We will stand against antisemitism and against the rise of extremism,” while Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the hostage-taking as “a terrible and antisemitic act of terrorism”.

The attacker’s brother Gulbar issued a statement on the family’s behalf posted on the Blackburn Muslim Community Facebook page, in which he condemned Akram’s actions and apologised to those impacted by them.

“We would like to say that we as a family do not condone any of his actions and would like to sincerely apologise wholeheartedly to all the victims involved in the unfortunate incident,” he wrote.

Gulbar revealed they had been in touch with Akram throughout the crisis via FBI negotiators, and that while his brother “was suffering from mental health issues, we were confident that he would not harm the hostages”.

The statement also revealed that Akram was shot in a firefight with the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team at the scene.

US authorities have withheld information on how the attacker died until now.

“There was nothing we could have said to him or done that would have convinced him to surrender,” Akram’s brother said.

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett spoke with Cytron-Walker.

“I was so relieved to hear that you and the other hostages are safe and sound. Your leadership in this time of crisis was admirable. Israel stands united with the Jewish community in Colleyville,” he said.

“I was praying here for your safety together with the rest of Israel and we are so relieved that you’re OK. Please send strength to your congregation. We are brothers.”

TIMES OF ISRAEL