Islamic Motivated Offender Attacked Synagogue in Graz
Yesterday a press conference was held concerning the attack of a synagogue and the president of the Jewish community in Graz. The attacker was identified as a Syrian citizen with an Islamic motive. In the upcoming weeks, synagogues in Austria will be protected by police officers.
Synagogues will be protected in the upcoming weeks, according to Minister Nehammer. / Picture: © BMI Bundesministerium für Inneres / Gerd Pachauer
"The incidents of the past week in Graz are shocking and unacceptable. [...] This also attacked fundamental rights and freedoms, freedom of religion, the diversity of social life", says Interior Minister Nehammer.
The police identified a 31-year-old Syrian citizen as the attacker of the synagogue as well as of Elie Rosen, the president of the Jewish community. Elie Rosen was attacked by a first unknown person with a baseball cap on Saturday.
The offender confessed and named an Islamist motive. He has been living in Austria since 2013 and has currently a refugee status.
Minister Nehammer announced that synagogues will be protected by police officers in the upcoming weeks to guarantee a save life for the Jewish community.
"Anti-Semitism in whatever form is an attack on our community of values and we have a historic responsibility to combat it," said Susanne Raab, Minister of Culture and Integration.
Elie Rosen says: "Anti-Semitism is always unsavoury, no matter where it comes from. These attacks in Graz are attacks on the basic values of our society - values that have been worked out and legally implemented over decades".