Texas rabbi details standoff: Gunman 'literally thought that Jews control the world'

[Behind the Aegis]

COLLEYVILLE, Texas — During the nearly 11 hours he was held hostage inside Congregation Beth Israel on Saturday, Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker focused on what he’d learned in security workshops — “Do whatever you have to do to get out,” he said — and on making sure that the gunman saw him and the three other congregants inside the synagogue as human beings.

But Cytron-Walker was able to steal brief moments for reflection, silently praying the Sh’ma and offering the Hashkiveinu: “Grant, O God, that we lie down in peace, and raise us up, our guardian, to life renewed. Spread over us the shelter of your peace.”

As the hours passed and Malik Faisal Akram, the British gunman, became increasingly agitated, Cytron-Walker saw an opportunity to escape. One hostage had been released earlier in the day, and Cytron-Walker told the two men who remained with him to run for a fire door before throwing a chair at the assailant and sprinting after them.

“It was really a matter of looking and waiting for an opportunity where all of us could go and no one would be left behind,” Cytron-Walker said in an interview with the Forward on Monday morning.

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[Ocelot II]

1. The rabbi is a hero, no question!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

2. Texas synagogue hostages fled after rabbi threw chair

I really like and admire this Rabbi

Link to tweet

Hours after being taken hostage by an armed stranger at the synagogue he leads, Rabbi Charles Cytron-Walker feared the situation was deteriorating. The captor’s demands weren’t being satisfied. The rabbi and two remaining hostages were terrified.

Glimpsing an opportunity, Cytron-Walker sprang into action.

“I made sure that the two gentlemen who were still with me, that they were ready to go,” the rabbi recounted in an interview with CBS Morning News. “The exit wasn’t too far away. I told them to go. I threw a chair at the gunman, and I headed for the door.

“And all three of us were able to get out without even a shot.”

A more complete picture emerged Monday of what unfolded inside the Texas synagogue where an armed British citizen took a rabbi and three congregants hostage in what the FBI calls an act of terrorism. Cytron-Walker and another hostage, Jeffrey Cohen, described how hostage-taker Malik Faisal Akram revealed a gun as the group said prayers Saturday, then repeatedly threatened them over the course of 11 terrifying hours. He allowed them to call their families, Cohen said in a lengthy Facebook post, and at one point told them to get on their knees.

[malaise]

4. I'm glad they escaped unharmed

There is too much hate promoted across this planet

[LetMyPeopleVote]

3. Why the terrorist targeted this Synaguge

Link to tweet

During the standoff, Akram repeatedly referenced Aafia Siddiqui, an American-educated Pakistani woman widely known as “Lady al-Qaeda” who was convicted on terrorism charges in 2010. People who heard him on the live stream of services, which carried part of the ordeal, said Akram chose this place because it appeared to be the closest gathering of Jews to a federal facility in Fort Worth where Siddiqui is being held on an 86-year sentence for trying to kill U.S. soldiers.

Akram, who could be heard saying he targeted the synagogue because the United States “only cares about Jewish lives,” called for Siddiqui to be released. He referred to Siddiqui as “my sister,” an expression of solidarity because her family says they were not related. He asked to see her and said they would rise together to Jannah, the Muslim paradise where the faithful are taken after Judgment Day.....

Cytron-Walker said, “I encourage all Jewish congregations, religious groups, schools, and others to participate in active-shooter and security courses.”

[LetMyPeopleVote]

5. Deadline White House had a moving story about the Rabbi's wife

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[Hekate]

8. That had everyone on the set choking up

Us too. They are her friends, and brought her favorite dish.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

9. I was moved by this

[JI7]

6. There is also more hatred of Jews among Pakistanis and Somalis

and some other non Arab and non Persian Muslims than among the Arab and Persian muslims including Palestinians.

[Poiuyt]

7. I suppose there has always been people who were un hinged from reality, but

it seems to be getting more dangerous. I'm thinking of the guy who took his assault rifle to the pizza place to rescue the kids in the nonexistant basement.

[tenderfoot]

10. Why did he travel all the way to US to terrorize a Synagog?

A: How did he get into the country?

B: Was it because it's easier to get guns in Texas?

[EX500rider]

11. "Why did he travel all the way to US to terrorize a Synagog?"

He wanted to free a US terrorist prisoner.

[tenderfoot]

13. He had priors in Britain. How was he able to clear customs?

He sounds like a raging asshole whose family couldn't even stand him.

[Solly Mack]

12. K&R

I read a great article on the Rabbi this morning. Talked of how well he handled the situation with the hostage-taker.