Clash Over Secret Tunnel At Chabad-Lubavitch Headquarters Sparks Controversy

A group of men belonging to the Hasidic Jewish community clashing with New York police over a secret tunnel discovered at a historic synagogue in Brooklyn has caught global media attention this week and has also spurred misleading and antisemitic conspiracy theories. On Monday afternoon, police made at least nine arrests, according to The Associated Press, after clashing with a group of men in the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters, 770 Eastern Parkway in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, that was reportedly trying to prevent an unauthorized tunnel linked to the building from being filled in. The New York Police Department said a group of individuals "unlawfully" entered the building by damaging a wall; the Chabad-Lubavitch Headquarters has condemned these actions.

Newsweek has taken a look at the story so far to untangle the details. The situation has raised questions about the tunnel's purpose and the motivations behind the actions of those involved. As reports circulate, it has become clear that the incident is not just a local issue but has implications that resonate beyond the neighborhood.

The underground tunnel was discovered at 770 Eastern Parkway, a synagogue and headquarters of the Hasidic Jewish movement Chabad-Lubavitch. There have been reports about the tunnel since December. Community news outlet CrownHeights.Info reported that a construction worker discovered it spanned from under the women's section of the synagogue to a mikvah—a Jewish ritual cleansing bath—on the corner of Union Street. Synagogue leadership decided to close off the women's section until a decision could be reached on how to secure the building.

The New York City Fire Department has also told reporters that it received an anonymous tip about the tunnel in December 2020 but could not find it when it checked it out. It's still unclear how long the tunnel has been under construction, leading to further speculation and concern among community members.

Unfolding Events and Reactions

The situation escalated on Monday when officers with the New York Police Department were called to the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters after "a group of individuals unlawfully entered" the building by damaging a wall, an NYPD spokesperson informed Newsweek. The group sought to stop construction crews from filling in the tunnel, as reported by Jewish publication Forward.

Shortly after the incident, the Chabad-Lubavitch Headquarters released a statement condemning the actions of those involved, stating, "The Chabad-Lubavich community is pained by the vandalism of a group of young agitators who damaged the synagogue below Chabad Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway Monday night." They expressed gratitude to the NYPD for their professionalism and sensitivity during the incident.

Motti Seligson, a Chabad spokesperson, took to social media to clarify that some time ago, a group of extremist students broke through a few walls in adjacent properties to the synagogue, providing them unauthorized access. He noted that a cement truck was brought in to carry out repairs, but work was disrupted by "extremists who broke through the wall to the synagogue, vandalizing the sanctuary, in an effort to preserve their unauthorized access."

Online Discourse and Disinformation

As the news spread, videos of the scenes between police and those inside the synagogue went viral, capturing widespread attention. Footage initially posted on TikTok showed men tearing paneling from a wall in the complex, revealing what appeared to be the hidden tunnel behind it. This footage raised eyebrows, especially when a stained rectangular object resembling a mattress was removed from the area.

However, the situation has given rise to misinformation and conspiracy theories online. Some social media users have made unfounded claims regarding the tunnel and the mattress, suggesting connections to human trafficking, a harmful and persistent antisemitic trope. Jonathan Greenblatt, director of the Anti-Defamation League, expressed deep concern over the spread of such disinformation, stating, "It's deeply troubling that anyone would use this incident to draw inappropriate and false comparisons to Hamas tunnels in Gaza or propagate age-old antisemitic conspiracy theories."

This incident highlights the challenges of navigating public perception in the age of social media, where misinformation can spread rapidly and have real-world implications. As the situation unfolds, both community leaders and law enforcement are working to clarify the facts and quell the rising tide of speculation and prejudice.

As the investigation continues, the community remains on edge, hoping for a resolution that restores peace and safety while addressing the underlying issues that have led to this confrontation.