Muslims raise over $65,000 for Jewish victims of far-right Pittsburgh terrorist

Initial investigation into the Pittsburgh mass shooter has revealed that a Jewish agency, which became the target of hate, is a prominent campaigner for Muslim refugees arriving from the Middle East.

After 46-year-old Robert D Bowers gunned down 11 people at the Tree of Life synagogue during its Sabbath service on Saturday, in what is being described as the worst anti-Semitic attack in recent US history, investigators have put together the profile of the killer. Bowers regularly posted anti-Semitic conspiracy theories on an extremist social media site and accused Jews of trying to bring “evil” Muslims into the United States.

His social media account suggested that Bowers had become consumed with hate and conspiracy. He believed that Americans and “Western Civilization” was “headed towards certain extinction”, and that Jewish and Muslim people were to blame. In one of his social media post he said: “Open your Eyes! It’s the filthy EVIL jews bringing the Filthy EVIL Muslims into the Country!!”

A Jewish organisation founded in the late 19th century became the centre of his hate. Known as the “Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), the agency which provided assistance to Jewish refugees for most of its existence had transformed over the past five years, to one that aids and supports all refugees coming into the US, especially Muslim arriving from the Middle East.

Its prominence has seen HIAS become one of nine agencies with contracts from the US State Department to help refugees acclimate to the United States. Jewish members of HIAS provide numerous services that include meeting refugees at the airport, driving them to the apartment that had been arranged for the family and shepherded them through the process of getting Social Security numbers, securing medical care and learning how to get around the city on public transportation.

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The agency is also on the front line of campaigns to raise awareness of refugees and to stand against their demonisation that many say has been normalised under President Donald Trump. Last week HIAS held a “National Refugee Shabbat” in dozens of cities across the US and Canada to raise awareness of the suffering of millions of refugees around the globe. It was also a partner in the federal suits over the travel ban on Muslim refugees.

Bowers’s writings on social media were bitterly hostile to refugees and to the agency that helped them. “HIAS likes to bring invaders in that kill our people,” he said in a post hours before the attack. His last words before going on a killing spree was: “I can’t sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, I’m going in.”

In another post he directed his anger at HIAS saying: “You like to bring in hostile invaders to dwell among us? We appreciate the list of friends you have provided.” Alongside it was a link to information on the National Refugee Shabbat Event, celebrated on 20 October at more than 300 Jewish congregations in 33 states.

The attack on the Jewish community has been met with outrage over the way Trump has fuelled the rise of the far right and set the tone for terrorists like Bower to commit this atrocity. It has also spurred Muslim groups in to action in support of Pittsburgh Synagogue victims. A crowdfunding campaign started by two Muslim groups, has reportedly raised more than $40,000 for the victims of the shooting. A campaign on LaunchGood, Muslim-focused crowdfunding site, is also reported to have reached its $25,000 goal in just a few hours and is continuing to receive donations.

“The Muslim-American community extends its hands to help the shooting victims, whether it is the injured victims or the Jewish families who have lost loved ones,” the crowdfunding site says. “We wish to respond to evil with good, as our faith instructs us, and send a powerful message of compassion through action.”

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