A hidden tunnel created by extremist Jewish students has been unearthed in New York City. The clandestine construction was discovered within the premises of a prominent synagogue, sparking concerns and leading to the arrest of twelve individuals associated with the controversial project.
The tunnel, reportedly built by a group referred to as ‘meshichists,’ was found beneath the Chabad Lubavitch synagogue in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The tunnel’s purpose and destination remain unclear, intensifying an ongoing dispute between the Chabad-Lubavitch leadership and the extremist faction within the sect.
The NYPD responded to reports of disorderly conduct outside the 770 Eastern Parkway synagogue, where individuals were found to have unlawfully entered the premises by damaging walls. Charges against the twelve arrested individuals are pending.
Rabbi Motti Seligson, the media director of Chabad-Lubavitch, attributed the chaos to a faction of extremist students who allegedly breached adjacent properties to construct the tunnel, potentially gaining unauthorized access to the synagogue. The incident has exacerbated a longstanding legal battle for control of the premises.
Some time ago, a group of extremist students, broke through a few walls in adjacent properties to the synagogue at 784-788 Eastern Parkway, to provide them unauthorized access. Earlier today, a cement truck was brought in to repair those walls. Those efforts were disrupted by the…
— Motti Seligson (@mottiseligson) January 9, 2024
The synagogue, known as 770, holds significant religious and historical importance as the world headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch sect. The discovery of the tunnel has led to the closure of the women’s section of the synagogue, raising questions about the sanctity and future ownership of the holy site.
As the investigation unfolds, tensions within the Crown Heights community persist, with authorities expected to provide additional details in the coming days. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
