Molotov cocktails thrown at building housing Jewish emissary
PROVIDENCE, R.I.—FBI and Providence police investigators are trying to figure out the identity and motive of those who threw a pair of Molotov cocktails at a two-story, off-campus apartment building where an Israeli representative of a Jewish organization lives.
A spokeswoman for the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island said in a statement released Sunday that no one was injured in the early Saturday morning attack that targeted the home of Yossi Knafo, 24, of Afula, Israel. No arrests have been made, said Dana Bottorff.
Police said one of the devices hit the outside of the building and started a small fire. A second landed inside the building, but failed to ignite. Investigators seized the second device.
School officials said the building housed an employee of Brown/Rhode Island School of Design Hillel who worked with the Jewish Agency for Israel, which sends Israeli emissaries around the world to promote ties with Israel by conducting educational religious, and cultural programs.
Local Jewish officials have alerted synagogues and other Jewish institutions to beef up their security in the wake of the attack, Marty Cooper, security coordinator for the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island, said in a statement.
"While we do not know the motivation for the attack, we know that in these turbulent times similar attacks have targeted Jewish institutions," Stephen Silberfarb, executive vice president and CEO of JFRI, said in the statement. "Prudence and common sense dictate that we view this as more than a random act of violence, and that an appropriate investigation is conducted and sensible precautionary measures are taken."
"At the same time, we will continue to make Jewish life accessible and fulfilling without fear," he said.
Rhode Island hosted the nation's second Jewish community that was established in Newport. The state also is the home of the oldest synagogue in the U.S.
