FBI identifies British national as hostage-taker at Texas synagogue - Hindustan Times

Authorities on Sunday identified a 44-year-old British national as the man who took four people hostage at a Texas synagogue for 10 hours before an FBI SWAT team stormed the building, ending a tense standoff that President Joe Biden called “an act of terror.".

“Rest assured, we are focused,” Biden said during a visit to a food pantry in Philadelphia on Sunday morning.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Matt DeSarno said the hostage-taker was specifically focused on an issue not directly connected to the Jewish community, and there was no immediate indication that the man was part of any broader plan.

A rabbi in New York City received a call from the rabbi believed to be held hostage in the synagogue to demand Siddiqui’s release, a law enforcement official said.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that an angry man could be heard ranting and talking about religion at times during the livestream, which didn't show what was happening inside the synagogue.

She said she heard the man rant against America and claim he had a bomb.

She said it sounded like the man was talking to the police department on the phone, with the rabbi and another person trying to help with the negotiations.

Anna Salton Eisen, a founder and former president of the synagogue, said the congregation has about 140 members and that Cytron-Walker has worked hard to build interfaith relationships in the community, including doing pulpit swaps and participating in a community peace walk.

You know, it’s a small town and it’s a small congregation,” Eisen said as the hostage situation was ongoing.

President Joe Biden issued a statement thanking law enforcement after the hostage situation ended.

But let me be clear to anyone who intends to spread hate—we will stand against anti-Semitism and against the rise of extremism in this country,” Biden said.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Twitter that he had been monitoring the situation closely

The standoff prompted increased security in other places, including New York City, where police said that they increased their presence “at key Jewish institutions” out of an abundance of caution