'Need to ID everyone': Internet appalled as discovery of secret tunnel under NYC synagogue sparks chaos
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Chaos and violence erupted this week at the global headquarters of the influential Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic Jewish movement after the discovery of a secret underground tunnel constructed without permission under the historic synagogue.
The Gothic-style synagogue in Brooklyn serves as the spiritual home to thousands of Chabad adherents across the world. However, the discovery of the clandestine passageway sparked a community divide, leading to protests, arrests, and the synagogue's closure, as reported by the Associated Press.
Brooklyn synagogue closed off for structural safety inspections
The tunnel was recently built in secret by a group of young men in the community to connect the synagogue to a neighboring empty apartment basement behind the headquarters. The exact purpose of the passageway remains unclear, though supporters claim it was part of a long-held "expansion" plan to annex more space for the overcrowded basement synagogue.
When the synagogue leadership moved to seal off the unauthorized tunnel on Monday, January 8, tensions escalated rapidly. Protesters ripped off wooden siding from the synagogue entrance to preserve access, prompting a police response to trespassing and property damage complaints.
After hours of failed negotiations with protesters to exit the tunnel entrance, police entered the passageway to make arrests. Violence ensued as angry onlookers assaulted officers and vandalized synagogue property in response.
Police used irritant spray to disperse the chaotic crowd, ultimately arresting 9 people on various charges and issuing 3 disorderly conduct summonses.
Several people suffered minor injuries in the melee, which left the historic synagogue littered with damaged furniture and scattered religious texts. The city has closed off the building for structural safety inspections in relation to the tunnel digging.
Internet reacts to tumultuous events at the Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters
As news of the tumultuous events at the Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters circulated on the internet, reactions poured in, reflecting a range of perspectives.
One Facebook user, expressing skepticism and a call for a thorough investigation, remarked, "It’s obvious it’s more going on here!! They need to ID everyone!! especially the ones popping out of holes and the ones barricading the place so they could escape!! I don’t believe all the past rumors about what goes on in the basements of these places, more concerned about terror."
Meanwhile, another user dismissed the incident as a triumph for conspiracy theorists, stating, "Another 'conspiracy theorist' win!"
One user offered a broader observation on the unfolding events, noting, "There is a lot going on for 2 weeks into 2024."
Another individual expressed sheer perplexity, stating, "This is really weird!!!" In a hypothetical scenario, a user contemplated the potential reactions if a similar incident had occurred under a mosque, writing, "Imagine if this was under a mosque."
One user speculated on the motives behind the tunnel, suggesting, "They are mad because they aren’t doing anything good down there. You only make tunnels when you’re hiding something."
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.