The Rabbinical Alliance of America — Igud HaRabbonim, representing over 950 American rabbis — condemns the two cold-blooded ambushes of police officers in the Bronx by evil gunmen. The attacks, which emerged in an atmosphere of anti-police rhetoric, left two public servants injured.
The assailant walked up to a patrol van and fired at two officers inside, wounding one. Hours later, he walked into a police station in the Bronx and started shooting, striking a lieutenant in the arm. Thankfully, despite the viciousness of the attacks, the victims are expected to recover.
Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, expressed outrage that “anybody could act so violently — full of rage, hate and cruelty — against another human being. There can be no apology for these horrific acts of attempted murder against members of the NYPD, dedicated public servants who live to help others and keep the city safe for its residents.”
“These are not merely attacks on police officers, which itself is unforgivable, but these are attacks on every law-abiding citizen of this city who is protected daily by police officers. We cannot allow the city to descend into lawlessness. Attacks on police must be prosecuted and punished to the fullest extent permitted by law.”
“We must also preach from our pulpits the need to be mindful of the work of the NYPD and law enforcement and to pray that they return home in safety to their families. May the Almighty watch over the NYPD and law enforcement and may we not know such horror and evil again. Our prayers are with the victims, the families and the NYPD.”