After the knife attack on a Jewish Hanukkah celebration with five injuries in Monsey, north of the metropolis of New York, the alleged perpetrator must also answer for hate crimes. FBI investigators said yesterday that handwritten notes and evidence were found on the cell phone that indicated an anti-Semitic motive of the man.
According to the police report, handwritten diaries containing statements hostile to the Jews were found when the 37-year-old’s home was searched. There are also references to Hitler, „Nazi culture“ as well as a painted swastika and a star of David.
Five people injured with machete
The man has already been charged with five attempts to kill and break in and pleaded not guilty. According to his lawyer, he had repeatedly struggled with mental illnesses in the past. If convicted, he faces a life sentence.
The man had penetrated a rabbi’s house the night of Sunday and injured five people with a machete who were just celebrating the Hanukkah Jewish Festival of Lights. He then fled but was arrested by the police shortly afterwards. Politicians worldwide strongly condemned the attack.
