According to a tweet from the office, the FBI in Newark, New Jersey, stated Thursday afternoon that it had “credible information of a broad threat to synagogues” in the state.
“We ask at this time that you take all security precautions to protect your community and facility. We will share more information as soon as we can. Stay alert. In case of emergency call the police,” the post advised.
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The organisation explained in a subsequent tweet that it was issuing that warning as a “proactive measure” until “investigative processes are carried out.”
The FBI, the state’s Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, and the state attorney general are all in contact with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, according to him.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and are working with local law enforcement to ensure that all houses of worship are protected,” Murphy tweeted.
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Anti-Semitic incidents have increased in the US during the previous several years, from 941 instances in 2015 to 2,717 incidents tracked in 2021 by the Anti-Defamation League. The ADL warned synagogues and Jewish organisations to “keep relaxed and in heightened state of alert” on Thursday and stated that it was collaborating with the FBI to address the serious threat.
The bloodiest assault on Jews on US territory occurred just over four years ago when a shooter attacked a synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, killing 11 people.
The FBI issued its warning on Thursday amid ongoing reports of anti-Jewish bigotry across the nation, including a number of antisemitic signs that appeared in public places in Jacksonville, Florida, over the weekend, as well as a group of protesters who displayed signs over a freeway in Los Angeles earlier in October in support of antisemitic remarks made by Kanye West. Photos also showed the group giving what seemed to be the Nazi salute while raising their arms. Officials in Los Angeles denounced the act.
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According to Internet Archive Wayback Machine records obtained by CNN, West has previously made a number of antisemitic outbursts, most notably on October 8 when he tweeted that he was “going death con 3 [sic] On JEWISH PEOPLE” and that “you guys have toyed with me and tried to black ball anyone whoever opposes your agenda.”
Twitter deleted his tweet and shut down his account. In an interview with Piers Morgan following the contentious tweet, West expressed sympathy for the people he offended but insisted that he did not regret the statement.
