This story updates previous one
Tel Aviv (dpa) – An Israeli teenager was arrested Thursday as part of a internationally coordinated investigation into a wave of bomb threats against US Jewish centres, according to Israeli police. Israeli authorities and foreign law enforcement, including the FBI, worked together over the last few months to track down the suspect, said police spokesman Micky…
2 thoughts on “Israeli arrested in wave of bomb threats against US Jewish centres”
Comments are closed.
The JCC Association of North America issued the following comment:
NEW YORK – Today, a suspect with dual Israeli-American citizenship was arrested in Israel in connection with dozens of threats made to Jewish Community Centers across the United States and Canada since the beginning of January. All such threats have turned out to be hoaxes. JCC Association of North America leadership was briefed by, and consulted with, the FBI this morning. In response to the arrest, JCC Association of North America President and CEO Doron Krakow said the following:
“On behalf of the JCC Association of North America and JCCs across the continent, we are gratified by the progress in this investigation, and applaud the commitment and leadership of the FBI and other federal agencies, Israeli law enforcement, and local law enforcement across the United States and Canada.
“We are troubled to learn that the individual suspected of making these threats against Jewish Community Centers, which play a central role in the Jewish community, as well as serve as inclusive and welcoming places for all – is reportedly Jewish.
“Emblematic of the strength of JCCs and the important model they represent for acceptance, inclusion, and appreciation for diversity is the remarkable support we have received from communities and community leaders across North America, including civic, political and faith community leaders. Throughout this long running period of concern and disruption that we are hopeful has come to an end, JCCs have had the opportunity to review and assess our security protocols and procedures, and we are confident that JCCs are safer today than ever before.
“As we celebrate JCC Association of North America’s centennial this year, millions of members and participants across the United States and Canada will continue to pass through our doors, taking part in the extraordinary programs and initiatives that have defined the town square of North American Jewish life. And they will continue to do so with total confidence that JCCs remain a vital and exciting engine for building inspired and ever-stronger communities.”
The Simon Wiesenthal Center issued this comment:
The Simon Wiesenthal Center commends US and Israeli law enforcement for tracking down the alleged perpetrator of a series of bomb threats that shook Jewish communities across America in recent months.
“We are grateful for the cooperative effort that identified the alleged perpetrator, we are shocked and dismayed that he is identified as a young Israeli-American, and are relieved that this wave of hate has been put to an end,” said Rabbis Marvin Hier and Abraham Cooper, Dean and Founder and Associate Dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center.
“Unfortunately, today’s development, as important as it is, does not remove the expanded threats of anti-Semitic hate crimes and threats against Jewish institutions including cemeteries, and on campuses across America,” Center officials concluded.