...Perceived act of hate crime
NEW YORK - AS a result of last week’s violent confrontation between Hamas and Israel, the world remains on edge as security concerns are being raised over retaliation by various religious groups.
The concerns were further thrust into the spotlight on Saturday (Oct.14) in Chicago when a six-year-old Palestinian was senselessly stabbed to death and his mother suffering multiple injuries.
According to the Will County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect is Joseph M. Czuba (age 71) of Plainfield who stabbed the victims more than a combined 36 times. A 32-year-old female was transported in serious condition and had over a dozen stab wounds to her body, while the six-year-old, based on autopsy reports, was stabbed 26 times and the pathologist was forced to remove “a twelve-inch serrated military style knife that has a seven-inch blade”.
This attack highlights the concerns expressed by government officials in the United States who have increased security all across the country, as protests have engulfed the world since the war broke out.
In his comments on the incident, US Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro N. Mayorkas said the attack of a “6-year-old Palestinian Muslim boy was horrifically and heartbreakingly stabbed to death”.
He condemned the violence, noting that they would “continue to work every day to prevent it”.
“There is no humane world that can and should tolerate the murder of an innocent child because of his identity. The tragic events in the Middle East, begun by the brutal terrorist attacks by Hamas, have brought ideologies of hate to the fore across the world – notably antisemitism and Islamophobia. This must end. The diversity and inclusiveness that define America must prevail,” Mayorkas said.
Security has been stepped up following the call by Hamas leaders to take action against Israelis.
