(JTA) – The chief rabbi of Argentina was brutally assaulted by a gang who broke into his apartment early Monday morning, Feb. 25. Rabbi Gabriel Davidovich was hospitalized with serious injuries, including nine broken ribs, according to the Jewish political umbrella DAIA President Jorge Knoblovits. “We know that you are the AMIA (Jewish center) rabbi,” the assailants shouted before beating Davidovich. His wife was home during the attack, which happened at approximately 2 a.m. in the Jewish neighborhood of Once in the Argentine capital. The attackers restrained her and stole money and belongings from the apartment. The attack was a “brutal antisemitic aggression,” DAIA said in a statement. A statement issued by AMIA condemned the attack but did not specifically call it antisemitic. Davidovich has served as chief rabbi since 2013. The office of the rabbinate is located in the AMIA building in Buenos Aires.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a statement issued Tuesday, Feb. 26 sent wishes for a quick recovery to the rabbi and his wife.