Attack has stoked fears of increased violence against Jewish targets in backlash to escalating US-Israeli war against Iran
Jewish communities across the US have condemned an attack on a Detroit-area synagogue by a man driving a truck containing explosives, and are warning that increased security is needed at places of worship to help prevent future acts of violence.
Security staff at Temple Israel in Michigan’s West Bloomfield township reacted quickly to Thursday’s incident in which the vehicle was rammed into the temple building and the assailant killed during an exchange of gunfire.
The suspect, Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, 41, was a naturalized citizen who was born in Lebanon. One security guard received minor injuries and staff, teachers and 140 small children at the temple’s early learning center evacuated to safety.
“Our heroic security personnel are all accounted for and safe,” Temple Israel said in a community statement following what the FBI called an act of terrorism.
