What’s happened
A Pakistani man, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, also known as Shahzeb Jadoon, has been arrested in Canada for plotting to attack a Chabad center in Brooklyn, New York, on the anniversary of Hamas’s onslaught that ignited the war in Gaza. Khan’s intentions, driven by ISIS ideologies, were to carry out a mass shooting at the heart of the Jewish community in Brooklyn, where the Hasidic Chabad-Lubavitch sect is headquartered.
Why it matters
This arrest brings to light the ongoing threats that Jewish communities face globally. Israel and its supporters find significance in exposing and preempting attacks targeting Jewish people, creating an atmosphere of heightened awareness and a more robust global stance against antisemitism and terrorism.
By the numbers
- Youth: Muhammad Shahzeb Khan is just 20 years old.
- Aliases: Khan is also known by the name Shahzeb Jadoon.
- Distances: Montreal, where Khan was intercepted, is about 19 kilometers (12 miles) from the international border.
What they’re saying
“Jewish communities — like all communities in this country — should not have to fear that they will be targeted by a hate-fueled terrorist attack,” US Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized in a statement appreciating the efforts of law enforcement agencies.
Key voices
- Merrick Garland:US Attorney General highlighting the inclusive nature of communities and condemning hate-fueled terrorism.
- Michael Duheme:Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police rebuked the planned antisemitic attack and expressed solidarity against hate crimes.
The backstory
Investigations revealed that Khan had been sharing ISIS propaganda and plotting acts of terrorism since last November. Actively seeking collaboration, Khan engaged undercover agents in discussions to support an ISIS cell to carry out deadly attacks specifically targeting “Israeli Jewish chabads” (notably Chabad-Lubavitch in Brooklyn).
The details
Khan meticulously planned his attack, sharing details including potential dates like the first anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack against southern Israel or Yom Kippur. Furthering his criminal endeavor, Khan even sent graphical mappings of the Brooklyn site where he intended to conduct the attack and detailed verifiable plans to illegally cross the Canada-US border.
- Khan’s malicious plans leveraged strategic dates such as the Yom Kippur, thereby targeting moments of significant Jewish observance and vulnerability.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.