New documentary shows anti-Semitic hostage siege caught on camera at Texas synagogue

On a cold Saturday morning in January 2022, Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, was a quiet sanctuary in a small community. As Rabbi Charlie Citron Walker prepared to lead the live service, a man later named Malik Faisal Akram arrived at the synagogue. His presence will change the course of the day forever.

New Documentary “Colleyville” Directed by award-winning filmmaker Danny Menkin, the never-before-seen footage from the synagogue’s 13 security cameras chronicles the 11-hour hostage crisis. The film offers a chilling yet deeply human look at the bravery of the hostages and the resilience of a community under threat.

The day started off kindly. Security footage shows Akram ringing the doorbell and Citron-Walker entering, who offers him tea and a place to stay warm. “I was trying to do what we do the other day: be kind and welcoming,” the rabbi said.

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But at 10:40 the atmosphere changed dramatically. Akram took out his gun and turned the four people present into hostages. “I have semi-automatic rifles. I have two bombs, 80% of the Jewish people will die if they don’t follow,” he shouted.

Security footage, first introduced in “Colleyville,” captures every tense moment. Akram’s demands focused on the release of Dr. Afia Siddiqui, known as “Lady al-Qaeda,” who is being held in a nearby Fort Worth jail. He believed the act would force international intervention, fueled by anti-Semitic conspiracy theories of Jewish world control.

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“His misperception was that both President Trump and President Biden would intervene with the anti-Semitic belief that Jews control the world and influence decisions,” Menkin told Fox News Digital.

Armed Malik Faisal Akram looks at one of his hostages, Rabbi Citron Walker. (Courtesy: Hey Jude Productions)

The film highlights Akram’s increasingly withdrawn demeanor and cold tone, including the statement: “I love death more than you Jews love life.” “He believed all the lies about the Jews – that the Jews controlled the banks, the media and the world. It was a dangerous combination of extremism and anti-Semitism,” Cytron Walker reflected.

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Akram eventually allowed Larry Schwartz to leave the congregation. (Courtesy: Hey Jude Productions)

Despite the fear, the hostages worked together to find moments of cooperation and opportunities to act. At one point, Akram lets elderly Larry Schwartz use the restroom, warning him not to try to escape. Shane Woodward, who was in the process of converting to Judaism, appeared sick and convinced Akram to leave. Before leaving, Shane negotiates with Larry to switch places, ensuring the old man’s safety.

As the hours passed, the tension grew. Akram fired a shot into the ceiling, a shocking act caught on camera. Citron-Walker waited for the right moment, drawing on the training in active shooter conditions. The moment came when Akram held a cup of liquid in his dominant hand, momentarily stopping him from pulling the trigger.

“I saw how he handled the cup, and I knew this was our best chance,” Cytron Walker told Fox News Digital. In a decisive move, he creates a window for escape, throwing a chair at Akram. “We weren’t far from the exit; it was a split-second decision, but it was the end of hours of watching, waiting and thinking.”

The hostages left the synagogue, with Citron Walker leading the charge. Moments later, law enforcement stormed the building, ending the standoff. None of the hostages were physically harmed, although the psychological toll of the ordeal lingered. “It was a horrible day, but we had a lot to be thankful for,” he said.

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A law enforcement vehicle is parked in front of Congregation Beth Israel on January 16, 2022 in Colleyville, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

“Colleyville” combines the raw intensity of security footage with compelling storytelling to give viewers an unforgettable look at the rise of anti-Semitism and the enduring strength of those who confront it. “The footage itself was unprecedented,” Menkin said. “It’s very rare to see a drama like this unfold in such a cinematic way. The raw emotion, the tension – the danger of hateful thinking is terrifying.”

Cytron Walker, a longtime interfaith advocate, emphasized the importance of balancing Jewish values ​​with security. “It is harder to love a stranger than to love your neighbor,” he said. But we must protect ourselves. Since the crisis, the church has significantly increased its security budget.

Cyrton Walker, who was released at a time when global anti-Semitism was on the rise, said: “We are seeing more hatred than ever before,” adding that “loving the stranger while ensuring proper safety is even more important now.”