CAIR-LA Condemns Two Southern Calif.
anti-Jewish Incidents of Bombing, Hate Crime

(ANAHEIM, CA, 4/9/11) - The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today condemned two incidents that targeted a Los Angeles synagogue and an Orange County Jewish man. According to police and news reports, an explosion Thursday at a Santa Monica synagogue that was initially thought to be an accident was found Friday afternoon to have been started by a homemade pipe bomb. The bombing shattered windows of the Chabad House and sent part of the metal debris through the roof of a neighboring residence. No one was injured. Police are looking for the suspect, a homeless 61-year-old man named Ron Hirsch, who is considered to be "extremely dangerous."

In a separate incident that occurred Wednesday evening, three men confronted a Jewish man in Coto de Caza, first demanding money. The men then allegedly started hitting and kicking the victim, and one of them even allegedly hit the victim in the head from behind with an object.

The victim reported to police that anti-Semitic slurs were used during the assault, and he underwent immediate surgery for his injuries. Two of the three suspects have been arrested and are being charged with assault, theft and committing a hate crime. A third suspect is at large.

"Targeting individuals and houses of worship because of religion is abhorrent, and we stand in solidarity with the Jewish community against these disturbing attacks," said CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush.

In the synagogue bombing, Hirsch is wanted on charges of possession of a destructive device and other charges. Anyone with information should contact Santa Monica Police Detective Leone at (310) 458-8949. CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.