Stabbing attempt thwarted
Photo: Galit Kosovsky
Stabbing attack foiled at Kiev synagogue
Security guards stop man carrying knife who tries to enter Kiev synagogue, says all Jews should be killed. No injuries reported in incident
Security guards foiled a stabbing attack at the main synagogue in Kiev, in the Ukraine, the head of the Jewish Agency in the city said.
The incident involved a man of about 65 who arrived at the synagogue and asked to meet with the rabbi. While talking to guards, the man pulled out a knife and said all Jews should be killed. The guards, however, were able to subdue the man and handed him over to security authorities.
Head of the Jewish Agency in Kiev Haim Kaplanikov arrived at the synagogue after he was informed of the stabbing attempt. "I am near the synagogue now and everything is calm here," he said.
"The most important thing is that no one was hurt. The service continued as planned, and worshippers were not even aware of what went on outside," he added. "It was only when they came outside that they heard of the attempted attack."
Kaplanikov stressed most synagogues in Russia are protected by security personnel on a regular basis.
The worshippers who left the temple once the service was over preferred not to speak to the press on a Shabbat evening.
"The main thing is not to worry the parents in Israel, everything is fine," some said, before going home to hold their Shabbat dinner.
