In early March, an attack occurred at a synagogue in Michigan, in the northern United States, shortly after the start of the war against Iran, allegedly inspired by Hezbollah, an FBI official said on Monday.
“Based on the evidence gathered to date, we believe that this attack is a terrorist act inspired by Hezbollah, deliberately targeting the Jewish community and the largest synagogue in Michigan,” said Jennifer Runyan, an FBI agent in charge of the Detroit office, during a press conference.
The investigation continues after a man drove his vehicle into the doors of Temple Israel synagogue, which claims to be the largest Reform Judaism synagogue in the United States, in West Bloomfield.
No one was killed in the attack, except the attacker, who committed suicide. However, a security guard was injured and several law enforcement officers had to be treated for smoke inhalation. Over 140 children were inside the synagogue at the time of the incident.
Le FBI lie l’assaillant au Hezbollah
The FBI representative explained in detail how the assailant, Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, researched Jewish cultural, religious, and educational centers in the Detroit area while purchasing materials for the attack.
She added that the 41-year-old man had sent a video message to his sister a few minutes before the attack in which he stated: “It’s the largest gathering of Israelis in Michigan, US. I’ve trapped the car, I will force my way in and start shooting at them. If God wills it, I will kill as many as possible.”
During the same press conference, Jerome Gordon, federal prosecutor for the Eastern District of Michigan, stated that Ghazali had acted “under the direction and control of Hezbollah.” “Terrorist propaganda aims to incite lone wolves to act on behalf of the terrorist organization,” added Jerome Gordon.
The New York Times reported that Ghazali, born in Lebanon and arriving in Detroit in 2011, had lost two brothers and nephews in an Israeli strike in Lebanon in early March. Since the start of the war in the Middle East, several attacks classified as terrorist have been recorded in the United States. Incidents and anti-Semitic attacks have also increased in recent years.
