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Source: The New York Post, http://www.nypost.com, October 12th 2000

Four Face Hate Charges in Bronx
Synagogue Attack
By DAVID SEIFMAN and ROCCO PARASCANDOLA
Four suspects including a 15-year-old arrested in an amateurish attack on a Bronx
synagogue could be the first prosecuted under the states new hate-crimes law.
Authorities said yesterday that the vandalism against the Adath Israel synagogue in
Riverdale Sunday night came just hours after the tough law kicked in.
And the suspects committed the deed even after being pulled over and identified by
police, who had been suspicious of the youths circling the block, authorities said.
It is our position that this is a hate crime, declared Bronx District Attorney Robert
Johnson.
This particular case, having happened at the time it did on the eve virtually of Yom
Kippur, at the time of strife in the Middle East is of particular importance to the entire
city, and were going to treat it that way.
Authorities said the suspects were all Yonkers residents with Arab backgrounds. They
were identified as Mohammad Alfaqih, 17; Mazin Assi, 21; Medre Medre, 18; and the
15-year-old, who was not named. They face charges of attempted arson, weapons
possession and aggravated assault.
Medre is also on probation for the attempted murder of a Yonkers cop, police said.
Johnson said his office was still deciding on the specific counts and whether to charge
the 15-year-old as an adult.
Arson in the third degree is a Class D felony that carries a maximum seven-year prison
term. But under the hate-crimes law, the charge could be elevated to a Class C felony,
which carries a 15-year maximum.
One official said the suspects couldnt have been more hapless.
The two bottles they allegedly tossed at the synagogue were filled, in Mayor Giulianis
words, with very, very cheap high-octane vodka. But they shattered without
exploding.
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Police sources said the suspects have confessed.