SWC Grateful Law Enforcement Saved Hostages at Texas Synagogue from Jihadist Terrorist Seeking Release of Jew-Hating Scientist

January 16, 2022

The Simon Wiesenthal Center expressed its gratitude to law enforcement for saving a rabbi and other hostages from a Jihadist terrorist at a Texas synagogue late Saturday Night.

“Our prayers have been answered. The hostages are safe” said Rabbi Marvin Hier, SWC CEO/Founder and Abraham Cooper, SWC Associate Dean and Director of Global Social Action.

While many questions remain, this much is clear. The terrorist demanded the release of Dr. Aafia Saddiqui convicted of shooting at American troops in Afghanistan. Dr. Aafia Saddiqui, not only hates Americans, but she is also a raving Jew-hater. At her trial in 2008, Saddiqui made continuous anti-Semitic comments and demanded that no Jew be allowed to serve on the jury. This has not stopped the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Linda Sarsour and other prominent 'activists' to campaign for Saddiqui’s release, casting a criminal as a human rights victim. 

Why a synagogue? Prominent American Islamists, including a leading official of CAIR, have launched attacks against “Zionist” synagogues and have never been held accountable by leaders of civil society, elected officials, or the media for such incendiary anti-Semitism. Last month, CAIR was listed as #7 on the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Top Ten 2021 worst anti-Semitism list.

Unless and until they are, it is left to Jewish communities to once again have to elevate security measures for our synagogues, Jewish schools, and community centers—not only against neo-Nazis and white supremacists, but Islamists, incited by Jew-hating campaigners and apologists who cynically wrap their hate behind the mask of politics and theology.

For further information contact the Center’s Global Communications Director at malkin@wiesenthal.com, join the Center on Facebook, or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent directly to your Twitter feed.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is one of the largest international Jewish human rights organizations with over 400,000 member families in the United States. It is an NGO at international agencies including the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the OAS, the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino).