Security measures strengthened in recent months at Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan, proved critical Thursday when an armed attacker was stopped before he could cause mass casualties.
The synagogue, located in the Detroit metropolitan area, had expanded its security system in response to the sharp rise in antisemitic incidents across the United States. Among the measures was the appointment of an experienced police officer to oversee security operations and conduct training for guards.
The preparations paid off.
Authorities said a heavily armed attacker drove his vehicle toward the entrance of the synagogue complex while about 140 children were inside. Security personnel quickly responded and killed the attacker before he could carry out a larger assault. One security guard was lightly wounded.
“This would have been a massive tragedy involving children if they hadn’t done their job almost perfectly,” Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin said, referring to the synagogue’s security team.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer praised the response as well.
“These heroes put themselves in danger as they confronted the suspect,” she said.
One of the synagogue’s rabbis said afterward that “only a miracle prevented” members of the community from being harmed.
Attacker identified
According to investigators, Ghazali crashed his vehicle into the synagogue entrance and then began firing through the car window into a corridor inside the building. A security guard returned fire.
The scene in Michigan
(Video: Reuter, ABC AFFILIATE WXYZ)
Jennifer Rounian, a senior FBI agent in Detroit, said the attacker ultimately shot himself as his vehicle caught fire.
Officials also said the attacker’s brother, who lives in Michigan, had been a Hezbollah commander killed in a strike in Lebanon.
Security measures credited with preventing tragedy
Temple Israel had stepped up its security in recent months as synagogues and Jewish institutions across the United States have increased protection following deadly attacks in past years.
In June, the synagogue hired former police officer Danny Phillips to lead its armed security team. According to the synagogue, the decision was made proactively “in response to the changing reality facing Jewish communities.”
Phillips served in law enforcement for nearly three decades, including more than 20 years as an advanced weapons instructor in his department. He now also teaches courses on responding to armed attacks at a local college.
In January, synagogue staff and rabbis participated in active-shooter response training led by an FBI representative, according to the congregation’s official social media accounts.
Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny of Temple Israel told CNN that Jewish communities around the world increasingly recognize the need for such preparations.
“Unfortunately, every Jewish community, no matter where we are in the world, must prepare for situations like this,” she said.
Global antisemitism rising
The attack attempt comes amid a broader surge in antisemitic incidents worldwide.
At the same time, the Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) announced Sunday it will double its annual budget to combat antisemitism, increasing funding from 3 million shekels to 6 million shekels.
The organization’s board approved the decision following what it described as an alarming rise in antisemitic incidents globally.
According to the Global Antisemitism Report published by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), antisemitic incidents worldwide have risen by 34% since the outbreak of the war known in Israel as Operation Roaring Lion.
The increased budget will support efforts to strengthen ties between Israel and Jewish communities abroad, promote Zionist education and enhance security at Jewish institutions around the world.
The initiative will also focus on combating the delegitimization of Israel and funding projects aimed at strengthening Jewish communal resilience amid rising antisemitism.
KKL-JNF chairman Eyal Ostrinsky said the recent events highlight the ongoing threat facing Jewish communities.
“Recent events around the world, from the attempted attack on a synagogue in Michigan to antisemitic incidents reported in Europe in recent days, show that antisemitism is not a phenomenon of the past but a real threat to Jewish communities today,” he said.
“Faced with this reality, we cannot stand by. Doubling the budget is a clear step in the fight against the phenomenon and in strengthening Jewish communities worldwide.”