"He Actually Dreams of Converting": The Anti-Semite Who Attacked Worshipers at a New York Synagogue Turns Out to Be a Lover of Israel

Larry Montes, 46, from the Bronx, is accused of attacking a woman and a security guard and vandalizing religious items at a Manhattan synagogue as a hate crime. His aunt claims he suffers from severe mental distress and developed an obsession with Judaism. His Facebook profile shows pro-Israel posts, contradicting his actions.

Larry Montes, 46, from the Bronx, is accused of attacking a 63-year-old woman and a 65-year-old security guard and vandalizing religious items at a Manhattan synagogue as a hate crime. According to the suspicion, he punched the woman, headbutted and spat on the guard, and smashed two religious candles valued at about $20,000. He shouted and raged, and after his arrest hurled curses, including the crude remark "f*** the Jews." His aunt, Miriam, claims her nephew suffers from severe mental distress and developed an obsession with Judaism, linking it to childhood trauma: his mother died during childbirth. His Facebook profile shows pro-Israel posts, including a picture of hands with Puerto Rican and Israeli flags, and the text "Keep Israel in your hearts." Montes is known to police with a criminal record, including violent robberies. In 2023 he pulled a knife on a Best Buy employee, and in 2019 he beat a CVS worker. His aunt concluded: "His mind is not right and he needs psychological treatment."

"He Actually Dreams of Converting": The Anti-Semite Who Attacked Worshipers at a New York Synagogue Turns Out to Be a Lover of Israel