A Jewish couple was attacked on their way to a synagogue in Los Angeles on Saturday by an inmate who allegedly shouted, “Give me your earring, Jew” before hitting the bleeding husband with a belt.
Raphy, 75, and Rebecca, 70, who asked NBC LA not to use their last names for fear of retaliation, told the outlet Sunday that while the attack has left them reeling, they are determined to wear their faith proudly, despite the incident. Antisemitism across the US has risen amid Israel’s war against Hamas following the terror group’s October 7 attack on the country.
“I’m really angry, not because of that [injury] but because I was beaten as a Jew,” said Raphy.
The alleged attack happened in Beverly Hills, Calif., Saturday morning when the man, identified by police as Jarris Jay Silagi, 44, approached the couple and demanded Rebecca’s earrings.
Silagi, who was caught nearby a short time later, removed his belt to attack Raphy repeatedly.
Raphy, 75, and Rebecca, 70, who asked that their last names not be reported, were victims of an alleged antisemitic attack on their way to the Beverly Hills Synagogue Dec. 9. NBC
“At first, it was a shock. There was a hard knock on my forehead here,” Raphy said in an NBC interview, gesturing to his head.
“And suddenly I saw the man hitting my husband with a belt and yelling, ‘Give me your earring, Jew,'” Rebecca told the outlet.
Bloodied and bruised, Raphy was chasing Silagi down the street when the would-be robber’s pants fell off, Rabbi Pini Dunner of the Beverly Hills Synagogue told NBC.
The alleged assailant demanded Rebecca’s earring, shouting, “Give me your earring, Jew” before removing his belt to strike Raphy, injuring him in the head. NBC
Raphy suffered a head injury and was treated at the scene, police said. Dunner said that after the attack, Raphy “went home, changed, and went back to the synagogue” for a planned Torah reading, noting he remained at the synagogue.
Silagi was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon, attempted robbery and elder abuse, according to Beverly Hills police. The charges include “enhanced” hate crimes that could result in a longer prison sentence if he is convicted.
“Our officers immediately arrested the suspect and he is in custody,” said Beverly Hills Police Chief Mark Stainbrook.
“This despicable act of hate against members of our community will not be tolerated.”
Raphy’s alleged attacker, Jarris Jay Silagi, 44, was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon, attempted robbery and elder abuse, police said. NBC
According to NBC, Silagi was convicted of second-degree robbery in 2012 stemming from an incident in which he tried to steal a customer’s phone at a Beverly Hills restaurant, for which he received a five-year prison sentence.
Police said he is being held in the Los Angeles County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 12.
It was not immediately known if Silagi had retained an attorney.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
