NEW YORK – Police took 12 Chabad members into custody Tuesday at the Lubavitch movement’s 770 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn headquarters, responding to a call from Chabad media director Motti Seligson that a group of “extremist students” had broken through walls adjacent to the synagogue to gain unauthorized access.
“Earlier today, a cement truck was brought in to repair those walls,” Seligson said. “Those efforts were disrupted by the extremists, who broke through the wall to the synagogue, vandalizing the sanctuary, in an effort to preserve their unauthorized access.”
Seligson said the building is closed pending a structural safety review.
Police said no injuries were reported.
Is the property safe?
“Lubavitch officials have attempted to gain proper control of the premises through the New York State court system; unfortunately, despite consistently prevailing in court, the process has dragged on for years,” Seligson said.
JUST IN: Chaos breaks out in New York City after underground tunnels were discovered under the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters in Brooklyn.The incident below reportedly took place to prevent a cement truck from filling the tunnels.According to the Crown Heights Info, the… pic.twitter.com/jHotsUmHKJ
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 9, 2024
Chabad-Lubavitch Chairman Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky also issued a statement early Tuesday morning: “The Chabad-Lubavitch community is pained by the vandalism of a group of young agitators who damaged the synagogue below Chabad Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway Monday night,” Krinsky said. “These odious actions will be investigated, and the sanctity of the synagogue will be restored. Our thanks to the New York Police Department for their professionalism and sensitivity.
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