Two men intent on disrupting a luncheon at Westport’s Temple Israel for Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were detained by staff at the door and held for police, police and temple officials said. Some luncheon attendees fled in panic.

One of the suspects was initially thought to have a gun since he had a shirt over his arm, police said.

“Shortly after the initial dispatch to responding units, the communications center started to receive additional calls reporting that a person had a gun,” Capt. Sam Arciola said.

“The first two arriving officers were able to take custody of the two individuals on the second floor meeting room where staff had physically detained them.

Nearby Coleytown Middle and Elementary Schools as well as the temple’s nursery school and the pre-school at the Unitarian Chuch were placed on lockdown for about 45 minutes because of the incident, he said.

Parents at Bedford Middle School said that school was also put on lockdown, according to an email from Adam Rosen, principal.

In an email to members, Steven Phillips, the temple’s president, said “at no time was anyone in physical danger” in the incident, which began as the temple was hosting the luncheon for Israeli military supporters.

Some attendees bolted from the room as word of the incident spread, said Westporter Lisa Wexler, who was one of those quick to leave.

Westport police tonight identified them as Daniel Fischer, 25, of 93 Osborn Ave., New Haven, and Gregory Williams, 25, of 599 Whitney Ave., New Haven. Arciola said they said they were college students protesting the IDF.

Both were charged with criminal trespass first-degree and breach of peace second-degree. They were both issued a ,500 bond and a court date was set for May 21 at Norwalk Court, police said.

From Stephanie Bass, reported in the Police Report On Temple Israel Confrontation:

In the middle of speeches, there was a loud disturbance. I couldn't tell how many people, but they were banging on the door to the room, yelling either "Justice for the Palestinians" or "Freedom for the Palestinians." There were 80 women in the room. People started screaming "Get down!" and "Call 911!" Women ran to the back of the room, or ran out a back door.

The "Palestinian" ranting went on. I was waiting for the machine gun fire. First I thought, I could die today; then I thought if many people die today, I don't want to be one of them.

I'd been in Israel during the '73 war. I thought of Newtown and that movie theater in Colorado. I dove under the table. After a few minutes, the Israeli Brigadier General grabbed my hand. She said it was okay to come out; personnel at the temple had subdued the men.

This did not feel like political protest. This felt like terrorism.

The two suspects who disrupted last week’s luncheon at Westport’s Temple Israel, shouting about Palestinian rights, appeared before Judge William Wenzel in Norwalk Superior Court today to face charges of criminal trespass first-degree and breach of peace second-degree.

One asked for accelerated rehabilitation (AR), a program, which if followed, would expunge any record; the other pleaded not guilty, opting to go to a jury trial. Both were represented by Bridgeport attorney Eugene Riccio.

Daniel Fischer, 25, sought AR, and Gregory Williams, 25, pleaded not guilty. Wenzel set their next court date for July 21.



Outside the courthouse, Riccio explained the ramifications of AR and would not comment on why Fischer would seek it while Williams pleaded not guilty.

At Temple Israel panic ensued Tuesday, May 12, when Williams and Fischer tried to crash an Israeli Defense Fund luncheon. As the suspects shouted about Palestinian rights, some attendees first thought one of the suspects had a gun, which was not the case.

Police were called, some people fled the luncheon and nearby Coleytown Middle and Elementary Schools, Bedford Middle School as well as the temple’s nursery school and the pre-school at the Unitarian Church, were placed on lockdown for about 45 minutes because of the incident.

Daniel Fischer of New Haven, Connecticut has been granted “accelerated rehabilitation” after he and co-defendant Gregory Williams terrorized an event at a Connecticut synagogue on May 12.

Fischer has been ordered to stay away from Westport's Temple Israel and not to contact anyone from the synagogue. If the 18 month long program and 25 hours of community service are successfully completed, the charges against him will be dismissed. Both Fischer and Williams are currently free on ,500 bond.

Gregory Williams, 25 has an existing criminal record, and was not eligible for the program. He has been charged with criminal trespass first-degree and breach of peace second-degree, and will return to court on Oct. 15.

From WestportNow

An attorney for Temple Israel, Bruce Koffsky, who was present in court, submitted a letter from the Temple supporting Fischer’s AR request.

The letter outlined the events of May 12, in which some congregants huddled under luncheon tables or fled the synagogue in panic as Fischer and Williams began shouting and banging on a door as they sought to enter a dining hall.

“Mr. Fischer should be made to understand that his ‘political’ stunt caused panic and fear for both Temple Israel’s staff and guests and has caused Temple Israel to increase its security precautions – and as a result, its expenses,” the letter said. “This was not a victimless crime.”

The letter continued: “We say all the above with the understanding that Daniel Fischer has no criminal record, appears to be eligible for the AR Program and has been charged with misdemeanor offenses.

“That being the case, Temple Israel does not object to the granting of the AR Program for Mr. Fischer provided he engage in substantial community service where he can put his passionate support for the less fortunate to better use.

“Additionally, we would respectfully request that additional conditions of the defendant’s AR be that he not enter or go on Temple Israel property, not contact Temple staff or congregants and that he not attempt to participate in Temple Israel activities.”