(JTA) — New Jersey and federal officials are collaborating after the FBI’s Newark office warned New Jersey synagogues of a “broad threat” against them.
“The FBI has received credible information of a broad threat to synagogues in NJ,” the agency’s Newark office shared on social media Thursday after.
“We ask at this time that you take all security precautions to protect your community and facility,” the alert said. “We will share more information as soon as we can. Stay alert. In case of emergency call police.”
The alert comes amid broad attention to Jews and the hatred they face that was ignited by antisemitic comments made by rapper Kanye West last month. White supremacist hate groups, including the Goyim Defense League, have adopted West’s comments as a rallying cry, ratcheting up their activity across the United States. Meanwhile, a change of leadership at Twitter has spurred antisemites to target Jews and other minorities online.
Those forces have in the past contributed to threats against Jews in the United States. Widespread bomb threat campaigns disrupted operations at Jewish community centers, synagogues and day schools multiple times in recent years; in June, all Jewish institutions in San Antonio, Texas, briefly suspended operations because of an unspecified threat. In addition, people who engaged with antisemitic white supremacist groups were responsible for attacks on Jews in Pittsburgh and Poway, California, in recent years.
The FBI’s alert added, “We are taking a proactive measure with this warning while investigative processes are carried out.“ It did not elaborate further.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said on social media that his office was in touch with multiple agencies, including the FBI and state office of homeland security about the threat. “We are closely monitoring the situation and are working with local law enforcement to ensure that all houses of worship are protected,” he said.
Multiple New Jersey synagogues contacted by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency on Thursday declined to comment. It was unclear if the people answering the phones were aware of the threat.
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