A man was taken into custody Thursday in Albany, the capital of New York state, after he opened fire outside a synagogue in the city, but no one was injured, Gov. Kathy Hokul announced.

Authorities said the 28-year-old man was acting suspiciously outside the synagogue where American Jews were celebrating Hanukkah.

The young man “shot repeatedly” and “made threatening statements” outside the Temple Israel synagogue, according to Ms. Hokul, who declined to confirm whether she actually shouted “freedom for Palestine,” as reported by the Times Union newspaper, citing police sources.

The Democratic governor, committed to fighting racism, anti-Semitism and protecting the more than 2 million American Jews in her state, expressed her relief that “no one was hurt.”

“The safety of New York Jews is non-negotiable. Any anti-Semitic action is unacceptable,” he stressed, against the background of the increase in anti-Semitism and attacks against Jews in the US.

The state of New York (population 20 million) “rejects hatred, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia,” assured Mrs. Hokul, announcing that the police would be “on high alert” during the eight days and nights that Hanukkah is celebrated.

Kathy Hokul, like Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City, located some 250 kilometers south of Albany, have participated in demonstrations in support of Israel and American Jews since the Israel/Hamas war broke out.

Almost two million Jews and hundreds of thousands of Muslims live in the metropolis with 8.5 million inhabitants.

For his part, Mr. Adams clarified that security measures would be “heightened” around the menorahs, candlesticks with eight branches, which are often placed in public open spaces.