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Screenshot from KFMB video
In a message to congregants posted on Facebook, Temple Israel, the West Bloomfield Township synagogue that was the target of a terrorist attack in March, expressed sympathy for the victims of Monday's terrorist attack on a San Diego mosque.
"We are devastated to hear that there was a fatal shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego," said the message. "The campus houses not just a gathering center, but also a school. The images coming from San Diego are all too familar to us."
"May God comfort the Muslim community of San Diego and beyond, and all communities of worship that pray for wholeness and peace."
On Monday, three adults, including a security guard, were killed when two teen suspects opened fire at the Islamic Center of San Diego, CNN reports. About a half mile from the center, the two suspects, 17 and 18, were found dead in a car from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds. No students at the mosque were harmed.
Hate speech was scrawled on one of the weapons, law enforcement officials tell CNN, and officials found a suicide note with writings about racial pride.
Ayman Ghazali
On March 12, Ayman Ghazali, 41, of Dearborn Heights, rammed his Ford F-150 truck loaded with fireworks and gasoline through the doors of Temple Israel and into the hallway. Inside were 103 preschool and daycare children, plus staff. None were hurt.
Ghazali's truck, filled with fireworks and gasoline, struck and wounded a synagogue security officer. During an exchange of gunfire, authorities said he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The truck went up in flames, causing extensive damage to the synagogue. Services are being held elsewhere until the building is repaired.
After the attack, the FBI said Ghazali was inspired by Hezbollah rhetoric. The attack was planned after his two brothers, one a Hezbollah commander, were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon in early March, according to CNN.
Monday's Temple Israel message noted that one of its rabbis, Jen Lader, was currently in Washington helping lobby for $1 billion in federal funds for "the protection of ALL houses of worship. To anyone who feels this is excessive, what happened to Temple Israel two months ago, and now the Islamic Center of San Diego, proves that it is not optional funding. Every dollar will be necessary to protect houses of worship all over the country."
The attacks come as Islamophobia and antisemitism are on the rise in the U.S.
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed issued a statement on the attack:
“I am horrified by the shooting there today. But I’m not shocked or surprised. When politicians directly target Muslim-Americans, when the media fails to check them, this is the result. My prayers go out to the families of the victims."
“All people deserve to worship and gather in peace, free from fear and hatred. Islamophobia, bigotry, and hate of all kinds have no place here.”
