Domestic terrorism has once again reared its ugly head when a horrific stabbing spree happened right in the home of a rabbi during a Hanukkah celebration last Saturday.

The attacker, Grafton Thomas entered the home of Rabbi Chaim Rottenberg in Monsey, New York and gave the order: “No one is leaving!” After which, the man pulled out a machete and started attacking people; slashing and stabbing those in his path, seriously injuring five people, including one who remains in critical condition due to a skull fracture.

Thomas who seemed intent in continuing his act of terrorism had ran to the nearby synagogue, which someone had the good sense to put under lock before Thomas arrived. About an hour later, police apprehended the assailant and was immediately charged. Despite all evidences and witnesses to Grafton Thomas’ hate crime, the 37-year old resident of Greenwood Lake pleaded not guilty. The pastor of the United Methodist Church which Thomas attends, attested that Grafton was not a violent person nor a terrorist.

The FBI team who raided his home found journals that revealed Thomas’ anti-Semitic leanings, while his Internet search history disclosed queries looking up “German Jewish Temples near me,” for “Zionist temples in Staten Island and in Elizabeth, N.J.” as well as “Prominent companies in America founded by Jew” and “Why Adolf Hitler hated the Jews?”

Rising Incidents of Hate Crimes in the U.S.

Hate crimes have finally been acknowledged as a growing and ongoing concern in the U.S. The FBI has ramped up investigations on “white supremacist groups, including one called Atomwaffen, which FBI agents say is the most violent organization they have uncovered. The bureau is quite concerned with this group because it has recruited dozens of members across America, all agreeing to the group’s mission of starting a “race war.”

Threats of domestic terrorism looms large and near, now more than ever. Mainly because President Trump who stokes sentiments waged by white nationalists and Muslim bigots, has been impeached. In fact Donald Trump is putting much of the blame on violent crimes against video games. An assumption that has not been proven true, since none of those who have committed hate crimes and other acts of terrorsim were video game fanatics.

NY Governor Cuomo to Propose Law that Would Define Hate Crimes as Domestic Terrorism

Inasmuch as the Hanukkah is only one of many incidents of hate crimes that recently occurred in New York, Gov. Cuomo vows to push for legislation that would declare such types of crimes as domestic terrorism. According to the governor, the Hanukkah stabbing spree was the 13th anti-Semitic hate crime that occurred in New York during the past three weeks, while numerous other hate-incidents had targeted the black, Latino and LGBT communities.

On the other hand, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has directed the New York Police Dept. to boost its patrols, by stationing more officers in front of places of worship. In particular, Mayor de Blasio mentioned the streets in Borough Park, Crown Heights and Williamsburg, where a disproportionate number of hate attacks have taken place in recent weeks. According to the NY mayor, the patrol boost is necessary because the government has work toward giving people a sense of security.

Speaking of boost and of video games, players seeking to improve in rainbow six siege as a ranked player should get on with it before Ubisoft launches its Season 5 installment in 2020. The tactical shooting game in which R6 Operatives launch offensives against terrorists will be adding two new recruits, Kali and Wamai of the Nighthaven private military outfit based in India. The new additions can make formidable offensive (Kali) or defensive (Wamai) operators out of players when playing ranked multiplayer games.