Elderly Jewish Couple Attacked in Beverly Hills in Suspected Hate Crime

The assailant, now in custody, targeted the couple on their way to synagogue, escalating concerns over rising antisemitism in the U.S..

An elderly Jewish couple, Rebecca and Raphael Nissel, were attacked in Beverly Hills on their way to synagogue. The attacker, Jarris Jay Silagi, allegedly struck Raphael with a belt buckle and made antisemitic remarks.
Silagi was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon, attempted robbery, hate crime and elder abuse. He is being held on $100,000 bail and is due in court on Tuesday.
The Anti-Defamation League reports a 388% increase in antisemitic incidents since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Some Jewish Americans are turning to firearms for protection, with one California firearm shop reporting a 450% rise in firearms safety tests compared to last year.
Raphael Nissel, despite his injuries, continued to his synagogue where he read from the Torah as planned. He and his wife have spoken out about the incident, warning of the rising levels of antisemitism they have experienced.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have both condemned the attack, with Newsom stating that antisemitism has no place in the state and Bass pledging to work with partners to combat antisemitism.