An Iraqi-born US citizen, affected by events in the Middle East, fired a shotgun outside a synagogue in Albany. The incident, which occurred on the first night of Hanukkah amid rising fears of antisemitism worldwide and fallout from Israel's intensifying war in Gaza, is being investigated as a possible hate crime. The suspect, Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, was charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and could also face state charges. Governor Kathy Hochul has directed increased patrols at at-risk sites during Hanukkah. Threats against Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities have risen during the Israel-Hamas war.