UPDATE: Unconfirmed: Chabad Couple Murdered in Mumbai
8 hostages freed!Eight Jewish hostages held by Islamic terrorists were released from the Chabad Housein Mumbai on Thursday evening in an Indian commando operation, according to a state official.(hat tip wolf)
UPDATED 10:00 am 11/27: See below for communique from Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
UPDATE: '10-15 Israelis held in Chabad House and Mumbai hotel'
UPDATE: (Video) Part of the Muslim's plan was to kidnap the Jews
VIDEO - There is growing concern Thursday evening that the Israelis who were taken hostage by terrorists who stormed the Chabad center in Mumbai, India have been killed, this after alarming information was relayed to Israel's senior-most officials. However, there has been no definite word of their fate.
At around 4:30 am Thursday four terrorists took advantage of the fact that local security forces were operating in several locations throughout Mumbai and seized the Chabad center in the city.
Keep telling us this is not a religious war. Keep telling us that Islamic anti-semitism is a figment of Bostom's imagination. Keep telling us this is not about good and evil. I wonder if the UN is going to strongly condemn the Rabbi's family for being such a desirable target.
Is reporting this story insulting to Islam and in violation of the UN resolution against "defaming Islam"?
Chabad's website reported Wednesday night that the organization's emissary to India and his wife Rivka were missing. The couple has a two-year-old child. According to the report, one of Holtzberg's friends received an email from the rabbi at around 11:30 pm (local time). Israeli Consulate was in touch with Holtzberg, but the line was cut in middle of the conversation.
Did the Rabbi have a UZI and if not, why not? For every Jew, a 22.
Report: Mumbai Terrorists Abducted Chabad Rabbi's Family
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
(IsraelNN.com) Muslim terrorists in Mumbai reportedly have abducted Chabad Rabbi Gabriel Holtzberg, his wife Rivka and their child. Indian television reported that six Israelis are being held hostage.
Indian media reported that a couple and their teenage son, none of them Israelis, were
killed in the Chabad House, called the Nariman House. One terrorist also was killed. Gunfire occasionally has been heard from the building, which the army has surrounded.
At least 101 people, including five terrorists, have died since the attacks began, and 600 others have been wounded. The terrorists have held more than 250 people as hostages in the Chabad House, a hospital and luxury hotels.
Several other Israelis have maintained telephone contact from their eight floor hotel rooms. The Chabad website reported that "the situation is grim." Commando forces have arrived by sea and are battling the terrorists in an effort to rescue the hostage victims.
The Chabad emissary outside the building attacked (Archive photo: col.org.il)
Read it all and this too: Israelis held hostage in Mumbai
Terrorists seize Chabad offices in Indian city, hold emissary's family hostage. Rabbi's toddler son, nanny seen leaving place safely; gunshots heard from inside. At least 10 sites attacked overnight; 101 people killed, 287 injured
Read about the massive Islamic attack here:
At least 101 people dead and more than 900 injured
Up to 200 hostages taken, many believed to be Brits
Two luxury five star hotels targeted
Attacks believed to be the work of Islamic terrorists Reported that England's cricket team have cancelled remaining part of its cricket tour
UPDATE 11:17pm Please see below for a communique from Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the terror attack in Mumbai.
Israel's Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni spoke today (Thursday, 27 November 2008) with Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Kumar Mukherjee. Foreign Minister Livni condemned the violent attacks in Mumbai and was briefed by Foreign Minister Mukherjee on the current situation. Foreign Minister Livni offered the Indian government any assistance it might require to cope with the situation and its aftermath.
Foreign Minister Livni also requested the assistance of Foreign Minister Mukherjee, and the assistance of his Ministry, in the communication of any relevant information regarding developments in Mumbai to the Israeli authorities and assistance in the evacuation of Israelis from the terrorist attack sites if required.
"Israel, India and the rest of the free world are positioned in the forefront of the battle against terrorism and extremists. Unfortunately, we were harshly reminded of this once again yesterday. The struggle against terror must be a communal struggle, and compels us to improve our cooperation on this front. Israel is ready to assist India in any way possible." ***
Further, please see the AP story below on police commandoes that have surrounded the headquarters of the ultra-orthodox Jewish outreach group Chabad Lubavitch, which gunmen had seized overnight:
Indian police surround Jewish center hit by gunmen
UPDATE BOSTOM!
“Ethos” of the Mumbai Jihad on Chabad? “Whenever a Jew is killed it is for the benefit of Islam.”
