The FBI is facing backlash over comments given during a briefing on Saturday night regarding the hours-long standoff that occurred in Colleyville, Texas, where a man held four people hostage in Congregation Beth Israel synagogue.
"We do believe from our engaging with this subject that he was singularly focused on one issue, and it was not specifically related to the Jewish community. But we're continuing to work to find motive and we will continue on that path," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Matt DeSarno, announcing the death of the suspect.
During this conference, the FBI confirmed that the hostage-taker, later identified as Malik Faisal Akram, was shot and killed. All hostages were released unharmed.
Akram reportedly demanded the release of Aafia Siddiqui, known as "Lady Al-Qaeda" in counterterrorism circles, from a federal prison in Texas.
Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist suspected of having ties to al-Qaeda, was sentenced back in 2010 to 86 years in prison for trying to kill US military officers while in custody in Afghanistan. Muslim groups like the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) have also advocated for Siddiqui's release.
In response to an Associated Press tweet stating, "The FBI says the Texas synagogue hostage taker's demands were specifically focused on issue not connected to the Jewish community," numerous journalists, media personalities, and other notable figures slammed the outlet's tweet and the FBI's statement.
FBI seems poorly informed to say that at this point considering the suspect demanded release of Muslim sister Aafia Saddiqui. She’s a convicted jihadist terrorist who is so antisemitic that she demanded jurors for her trial be DNA tested to exclude Jews. https://t.co/08mF2c5lLg https://t.co/jeUWxczrQO
— Andy Ngô ???? (@MrAndyNgo) January 16, 2022
He was seeking the release of the virulent antisemite and convicted terrorist—Aafia Siddiqui. She blamed Jews for everything—likely he did too. https://t.co/p8HgDeoLBP
— Christina Sommers (@CHSommers) January 16, 2022
So an Islamist terrorist who took Jewish hostages at a synagogue on the Jewish sabbath in order to release an antisemitic terrorist was "...not connected to the Jewish community." Gimme a break
— Ari Hoffman (@thehoffather) January 16, 2022
Do you guys believe your own BS?
A Muslim terrorist travels to a Synagogue on the Sabbath and takes a Rabbi and three other Jews hostage, while demanding the release of a convicted Antisemitic terrorist.
— Joel M. Petlin (@Joelmpetlin) January 16, 2022
Sorry @AP but I'm pretty sure that it's DIRECTLY connected to the Jewish community.
He took a shul hostage and demanded to free a notorious antisemite and forced one rabbi to call another rabbi in NY to help with this. Motive is likely indigestion, though we can't rule out 'lost a bet.' https://t.co/leGoCDlPwl
— Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) January 16, 2022
The FBI’s declaration that a man taking Jews hostage in a Jewish place of worship on the Jewish day of rest while trying to free an anti-Semitic terrorist had nothing to do with Jews is both insane and demonstrative of the federal government’s attitude to Islamic anti-Semitism.
— Ian Haworth (@ighaworth) January 16, 2022
Parents at school board meetings are instantly labeled domestic terrorists in writing on official DOJ letterhead.
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) January 16, 2022
Armed guy takes Jewish hostages at synagogue during religious services demanding the release of an anti-Semitic convicted terrorist is a mystery they can't solve https://t.co/r24lOcHo30
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