Salem State Holocaust Center Decries Texas Hostage Crisis

SALEM, MA — The Salem State University Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies called the recent Texas synagogue hostage crisis "a stab at the heart of freedom of belief" while praising law enforcement and the role Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker played in helping make sure the attack ended without injury.

Malik Faisal Akram held four members of the Congregation Beth Isreal of Colleyville, Texas hostage for 11 hours on Saturday until they were able to escape.

"Attacks on places of worship are a stab at the heart of freedom of belief," the Center said in a statement to Patch. "They are meant to deter citizens from expressing the beliefs that animate them and give their lives meaning. A state without freedom of thought, religion and expression is a state without faith, a shell with no purpose, a democracy in name only. It is no coincidence that freedom of religion is enshrined in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

"The recent wave of antisemitic attacks marks a new period where radicalized groups or individuals are encouraged by social friction and divisive politicians to reignite anti-Jewish prejudices and act on their toxic ideology. They threaten the peace of Jewish communities everywhere, but we should not assume that they will stop there. As students of antisemitism, we know well that those who thrive on conflict prey on all differences, and that when one minority is targeted, others will soon follow."

Established in 2013, the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies is an interdisciplinary academic center committed to advancing research, education and public programming in the fields of Holocaust education, comparative genocide, conflict studies and human rights.

The Center said its academic, professional development and public programs aim to "educate and empower students, teachers and the community to combat racism, prejudice, ethnic hatred and abuse of authority — the root causes of mass violence and atrocities."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)