FBI, New Jersey authorities are monitoring credible threat to synagogues
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
The threats come amid a rise of antisemitic incidents across the United States.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Follow topic:
NEW YORK – New Jersey authorities are closely monitoring a credible threat to New Jersey synagogues, Governor Phil Murphy said on Thursday, and law enforcement officials have stepped up patrols.
Mr Murphy said he has been in contact with the state attorney-general, New Jersey Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) field office in Newark to “ensure that all houses of worship are protected”.
The governor did not elaborate on what information officials had received.
The FBI field office said it had received credible information of a broad threat to synagogues in New Jersey, which is home to about half a million Jewish people. In a post on Twitter, it said it was taking a proactive measure with the warning and asked houses of worship to “take all security precautions to protect your community and facility”.
“Law enforcement will be increasing patrols in sensitive areas,” said Attorney-General Matt Platkin said. “Some of these patrols will be in marked vehicles and others will not – but please do not be alarmed if you observe an increase in police presence as we are taking these steps in an abundance of caution.”
Neither the FBI nor Mr Murphy gave any specifics. “We will share more information as soon as we can. Stay alert,” the FBI said on Twitter.
Ms Doreen Holder, an FBI spokesman, did not immediately return a phone call for comment. The New Jersey State Police referred questions to the FBI.
The threats come amid a rise of antisemitic incidents across the United States and an outcry over antisemitic speech from celebrities including rapper Kanye West,
This week, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft sponsored an ad that aired during Sunday’s football games asking people to denounce “Jewish Hate”. The White House and businesses such as Adidas and Gap also condemned a spate of antisemitic comments on podcasts and social media by Ye.
Antisemitic incidents in the US hit an all-time high in 2021, with a total of 2,717 incidents of assault, harassment and vandalism reported to the Anti-Defamation League.
In the last few weeks, a sign was vandalised with swastikas and set on fire in Chico, California, while a bomb threat was called into the Jewish Community Centre in Detroit.
New Jersey’s Jewish population is about 6.1 per cent of the total, trailing only New York among US states, according to World Population Review data.
The Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ sent a security alert to its more than 80 affiliated synagogues in five counties, according to its chief executive Dov Ben-Shimon.
“The federation is liaising with authorities and partners,” Mr Ben-Shimon said. He said he could not disclose how he was contacted about the threat, or at what time. The federation identifies itself as the largest Jewish philanthropy in New Jersey. BLOOMBERG
