Texas
New documentary reveals antisemitic hostage siege captured on camera at Texas synagogue
On a cold Saturday morning in January 2022, Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, was a quiet sanctuary in a small community. As Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker prepared to lead a livestreamed service, a man, later identified as Malik Faisal Akram, arrived at the synagogue. His presence would change the course of the day forever.
A new documentary, “Colleyville,” directed by award-winning filmmaker Dani Menkin, reveals never-before-seen footage from the synagogue’s 13 security cameras, documenting the harrowing 11-hour hostage crisis in real-time. The film offers a chilling yet profoundly human look at the bravery of the hostages and the resilience of a community under threat.
The day began with an act of kindness. Security footage shows Akram ringing the doorbell and being welcomed inside by Cytron-Walker, who offered him tea and a place to warm up. “I was just trying to do what we do on any other day: offer kindness and welcome,” the rabbi said.
TEXAS OFFICIALS REACT TO NEWS OF HOSTAGE SITUATION IN COLLEYVILLE SYNAGOGUE
Security footage shows Rabbi Cytron-Walker with Malik Faisal Akram holding his gun on him. (Courtesy: Hey Jude productions)
But at 10:40 a.m., the atmosphere shifted dramatically. Akram pulled out a gun and turned the four people present into hostages. “I’ve got semi-automatic guns. I’ve got two bombs, 80% of Jewish people are going to die if you don’t comply,” he shouted.
The security footage, revealed for the first time in “Colleyville,” captures every tense moment. Akram’s demands centered on the release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, known as “Lady al-Qaeda,” held in a nearby Fort Worth prison. He believed his actions could force global intervention, fueled by antisemitic conspiracy theories about Jewish control of the world.
FBI: TEXAS SYNAGOGUE HOSTAGE INCIDENT BOTH A ‘HATE CRIME’ AND ‘ACT OF TERRORISM’ TARGETING JEWISH COMMUNITY
“His distorted perception was that either President Trump or President Biden would intervene, as he held onto the antisemitic belief that Jews control the world and could influence such a decision,” Menkin told Fox News Digital.
An armed Malik Faisal Akram watching one of his hostages, Rabbi Cytron-Walker. (Courtesy: Hey Jude productions)
The film highlights Akram’s increasingly erratic behavior and chilling rhetoric, including his declaration: “I love death more than you Jews love life.” Cytron-Walker said upon reflection that Akram “believed all the lies told about Jewish people – the Jews control the banks, the media, the world. It was a dangerous combination of extremism and antisemitism.”
HOUSTON RABBI ON ‘FRIGHTENING’ COLLEYVILLE SYNAGOGUE HOSTAGE SITUATION: ‘WE’RE GOING TO INCREASE OUR SECURITY
Akram eventually allowed congregant Larry Schwartz to leave. (Courtesy: Hey Jude productions)
Despite the fear, the hostages worked together to find moments of solidarity and opportunities to act. At one point, Akram allowed elderly congregant Larry Schwartz to use the restroom, warning him not to attempt an escape. Shane Woodward, who was in the process of converting to Judaism, pretended to feel ill and convinced Akram to let him leave. Before exiting, Shane negotiated to switch places with Larry, ensuring the older man’s safety.
As the hours wore on, the tension escalated. Akram fired a shot into the ceiling, an alarming act captured on camera. Cytron-Walker, drawing on his training in active shooter scenarios, waited for the right moment. That moment came when Akram held a cup of liquid in his dominant hand, temporarily preventing him from pulling the trigger.
“I saw how he held the cup, and I knew it was our best chance,” Cytron-Walker told Fox News Digital. In a decisive move, he threw a chair at Akram, creating a window for escape. “We weren’t far from the exit. It was a split-second decision, but it was the culmination of hours of watching, waiting, and thinking.”
The hostages bolted out of the synagogue, with Cytron-Walker leading the charge. Moments later, law enforcement stormed the building, ending the standoff. None of the hostages were physically harmed, though the psychological toll of the ordeal lingered. “It was a horrible day, but we had so much to be grateful for,” he said.
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A law enforcement vehicle sits in front of Congregation Beth Israel on Jan. 16, 2022, in Colleyville, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
“Colleyville” combines the raw intensity of the security footage with poignant storytelling, offering viewers an unflinching look at the rise of antisemitism and the enduring strength of those who face it. “The footage itself was something that hadn’t been seen before,” Menkin said. “It’s incredibly rare to see a drama like this unfold in such a cinematic way. The raw emotions, the tension – it’s a terrifying reminder of the danger of hateful ideologies.”
Cytron-Walker, who had long been an advocate for interfaith engagement, emphasized the importance of balancing Jewish values with security. “Love the stranger is a lot harder than love your neighbor,” he said. “But we have to protect ourselves too.” Since the crisis, his synagogue has significantly increased its security budget.
Released at a time of rising antisemitism worldwide, Cyrton-Walker said, “We’re seeing more of this kind of hatred,” adding, “It’s even more important now to love the stranger while ensuring proper security.”
North Texas FIFA World Cup organizers say this week will bring the first visible signs of activity.
“Tomorrow is a very big day for us,” organizer Monica Paul said. “The move-in for the International Broadcast Center for the World Cup begins. So, they will start moving in a lot of trucks, a lot of building out will take place.”
“I feel like we’re ready for this,” organizer Dan Hunt said. “I mean, this city has been built for this.”
Thousands of media arriving soon
Organizers say that by mid-May, 3,500 broadcasters, media, and staff are expected to arrive at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.
Transportation planning will involve coordination across multiple cities and agencies, as millions of fans are expected to move across the region once the tournament begins.
“A large stakeholder group has been taking shape to put this transportation plan together,” Paul said. “Our last mobility plan is due to FIFA at the end of March.”
Security effort spans all levels
Safety and security will involve local, state, and federal partners.
“We are working with the White House Task Force for the World Cup,” Paul said. “It was set up specifically to be our federal government liaison with the host cities to address any concerns.”
Organizers say they want to ensure international visitors feel welcome.
Fan festival to anchor celebrations
For fans without tickets, Fair Park will host the FIFA Fan Festival, a large-scale viewing and entertainment experience during the tournament. The full schedule is expected to be released next month.
“With the good fortune we have here, Dallas Stadium will have nine matches which is over 700,000 tickets,” Hunt said. “Fan fest down in Fair Park should do double that. Almost 1.5 million visitors.”
“What I’m excited about is our Fan Fest is estimated to be free to the public and that excites me because everyone who does not have a ticket can also benefit from the energy of celebrating the World Cup,” organizer Nina Vaca said.
Long‑term goals beyond the tournament
With a projected $2.1 billion economic impact, organizers say the broader goal is to grow the game of soccer in North Texas long after the final match.
The X logo on the X app formerly known as Twitter is seen in this photo illustration on 01 November, 2023 in Warsaw, Poland. (Photo by Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
AUSTIN – Texas Democrat leaders are demanding that state Attorney General Ken Paxton investigate X, formerly Twitter, and the built-in chatbot Grok for alleged child sex abuse content being generated on the site.
The joint letter from the House leaders says sexualized material is being created at a rate that should trigger a Texas law that would require age verification to use the site.
Texas Democrats request X investigation
What we know:
The Monday letter, signed by 43 House Democrats, references reporting that claims investigators have observed around 7,750 sexualized images being generated per hour and at least one nonconsensual image per minute on X.
They note that Grok has been documented generating sexualized or “nudified” images of minors as well.
According to the House Democrats, other regulators, including those in Europe, have already launched their own queries into the social media site and chatbot. Additionally, they say, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation has called on the DOJ and Federal Trade Commission to investigate X and Grok over the same concerns.
The letter says Texas has already established a standard for sites operating as they claim X does: House Bill 1181, enacted in 2023, requires websites where more than one-third of content is sexual material harmful to minors to use age-verification methods to ensure users are over 18.
Proposed investigation requirements
The letter asks Paxton to look into the following:
- Open a formal investigation into whether X, xAI, Grok, or related tools accessible in Texas are being used to create or distribute unlawful sexually explicit deepfakes, nonconsensual intimate imagery, and any AI-generated child sexual exploitation material, and whether platform design choices are facilitating that conduct.
- Investigate whether X is in compliance with Texas age verification requirements under HB 1181, including whether minors can access sexually explicit material or AI tools that generate sexual imagery without reasonable age verification.
- Issue a public enforcement and reporting pathway for victims and parents in Texas, including instructions to preserve evidence, how reports will be routed for rapid investigation when minors are involved, and a point of contact for legislative coordination.
- Provide written guidance to platforms operating in Texas on compliance expectations, including meaningful age gating for sexually explicit material, prompt removal pathways for victims, and cooperation with law enforcement.
What we don’t know:
Paxton has not yet issued a public response to the letter, or announced an investigation into the matter.
What parents and users should know
If you encounter sexualized images of minors or other abusive material online, report it immediately. In the United States, you can contact the FBI tip line or seek help from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Do not download, share, screenshot or interact with the content in any way. Even viewing or forwarding illegal material can expose you to serious legal risk.
Parents should also talk with children and teens about AI image tools and social media prompts. Many of these images are created through casual requests that do not feel dangerous at first. Teaching kids to report content, close the app and tell a trusted adult can stop harm from spreading further.
The Source: Information in this article comes from the Texas House Democratic Caucus and previous reporting by Fox News.
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