Political figures on both sides of the aisle strongly condemned an attack on a Hanukkah celebration in a heavily Orthodox Jewish New York town and warned of the rise of anti-Semitism.

Five people were stabbed in the home of a rabbi in Monsey, N.Y., on Saturday night as they lit a candle for the seventh night of Hanukkah, according to officials. The suspect fled in a car but has since been apprehended.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), speaking at the site of the attack, said, "Let’s call it what it is. These people are domestic terrorists."

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"And the law should reflect that. And they should be punished as if it was an act of terrorism," he added.

Appearing on “Fox News Sunday,” Sen. Ben Cardin Benjamin (Ben) Louis CardinPelosi hopeful COVID-19 relief talks resume 'soon' Congress must finish work on popular conservation bill before time runs out PPP application window closes after coronavirus talks deadlock MORE (D-Md.) said he agreed with Cuomo's characterization of the attack as “domestic terrorism.”

"I think these individuals are acting not just out of a hatred towards one person but a hatred towards anyone who’s different, and to me that is what terrorism’s about. So I agree with Gov. Cuomo. I think this is an act of domestic terrorism," Cardin, who serves on the United States Holocaust Memorial Council and as the special representative on anti-Semitism, racism and intolerance for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, said Sunday.

“It’s not only words. It’s actions to make it clear that those responsible will be held fully accountable and that we work together to keep our communities safe,” he added. “The rise [of anti-Semitism] here in the United States is something that should be of concern to every person in this country.”

House Minority Whip Steve Scalise Stephen (Steve) Joseph ScaliseGinsburg becomes the first woman to lie in state in the Capitol House GOP slated to unveil agenda ahead of election House panel details 'serious' concerns around Florida, Georgia, Texas, Wisconsin elections MORE (R-La.), the No. 2 Republican in the House, condemned the attack on “Fox News Sunday,” saying, “Too often in Washington, you see people trying to figure out somebody's motives instead of just saying it's wrong. ... Call it out for what it is. ... Anti-Semitism is wrong.”

President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden says voters should choose who nominates Supreme Court justice Trump, Biden will not shake hands at first debate due to COVID-19 Pelosi: Trump Supreme Court pick 'threatens' Affordable Care Act MORE also spoke out about the attack in a tweet Sunday afternoon, calling it "horrific" and writing, "We must all come together to fight, confront, and eradicate the evil scourge of anti-Semitism."

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The anti-Semitic attack in Monsey, New York, on the 7th night of Hanukkah last night is horrific. We must all come together to fight, confront, and eradicate the evil scourge of anti-Semitism. Melania and I wish the victims a quick and full recovery. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2019

Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersTrump, Biden will not shake hands at first debate due to COVID-19 Sanders tells Maher 'there will be a number of plans' to remove Trump if he loses Sirota reacts to report of harassment, doxing by Harris supporters MORE (I-Vt.) tweeted that he was “outraged” by the attack, adding, “We must confront this surge of anti-Semitic violence, prioritize the fight against bigotry, and bring people together – instead of dividing people up.”

I’m outraged by the knife attack in Monsey. We must confront this surge of anti-Semitic violence, prioritize the fight against bigotry, and bring people together – instead of dividing people up. — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) December 29, 2019

Former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenBiden says voters should choose who nominates Supreme Court justice Trump, Biden will not shake hands at first debate due to COVID-19 Joe Biden should enact critical government reforms if he wins MORE, who is also running for president, tweeted, “The horrifying rise of antisemitism is tearing apart the fabric of our communities and the soul of this nation.”

Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenOvernight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds On The Money: Half of states deplete funds for Trump's 0 unemployment expansion | EU appealing ruling in Apple tax case | House Democrats include more aid for airlines in coronavirus package Warren, Khanna request IG investigation into Pentagon's use of coronavirus funds MORE (D-Mass.), another presidential candidate, said she was “heartsick” and noted that “this is unfortunately just the latest of a series of anti-Semitic attacks in New York and New Jersey.”

The horrifying rise of antisemitism is tearing apart the fabric of our communities and the soul of this nation. We've got to stand together as a country and fight these flames of hatred.



My deepest sympathies are with the victims, their families, and the Jewish community. https://t.co/fcUUwN8rE6 — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) December 29, 2019

I'm heartsick for the victims of this horrific attack. This is unfortunately just the latest of a series of anti-Semitic attacks in New York and New Jersey. We must fight anti-Semitism and make clear that hateful bigotry has no place in our society. https://t.co/MjlL1gkovV — Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) December 29, 2019

Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiPelosi: Trump Supreme Court pick 'threatens' Affordable Care Act Sunday shows preview: Lawmakers prepare for SCOTUS confirmation hearings before election Will Democrats attempt to pack the Supreme Court again? MORE (D-Calif.) tweeted that she was “heartbroken and deeply disturbed” by the incident. “We must condemn and confront anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry and hate wherever & whenever we see them,” she added.

Heartbroken and deeply disturbed by the stabbing in Monsey and the many recent anti-Semitic attacks in the NY metro area, especially during this holiday season. We must condemn and confront anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry and hate wherever & whenever we see them. — Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) December 29, 2019

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The attack occurred hours after a woman was charged with assaulting three Jewish women in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

In addition to the Crown Heights attack, at least seven other suspected anti-Semitic incidents in New York are currently under investigation. In response to such incidents, Mayor Bill de Blasio Bill de BlasioOVERNIGHT ENERGY: California seeks to sell only electric cars by 2035 | EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities | House energy package sparks criticism from left and right EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities New Year's Eve in Times Square to be largely virtual amid pandemic MORE (D) has said the New York Police Department will increase patrols in several largely Jewish Brooklyn neighborhoods.

Those follow a shooting earlier this month in which two people killed a police detective and three civilians at a kosher market in Jersey City, N.J. In October 2018, a gunman killed 11 people at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue, the deadliest act of anti-Semitic violence in U.S. history.

“At this point, we are in an epidemic in New York City, of all places, for the Jewish community,” Oren Segal, vice president of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), told CNN’s Jake Tapper Jacob (Jake) Paul TapperThe media's misleading use of COVID-19 data Julia Louis-Dreyfus: 'We can't spend much time grieving' Ginsburg Pence aide dismisses concerns rushed vote on Trump nominee will hurt vulnerable senators MORE on Sunday.

“We are still recovering as a community from what we saw in Jersey City. ... The community is in shock. There’s a lot of fear and anxiety, but that’s why it’s important for organizations like ADL and the broader community to step up and be allies,” he added.