CNN
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The FBI in Newark, New Jersey, said Thursday afternoon it had received “credible information about a broad threat to synagogues” in the state, according to a Tweeter from the office.
“We ask you at this time to take all safety precautions to protect your community and your facilities. We will share more information as soon as possible. Stay alert. In an emergency, call the police,” the post said.
In a second Tweeter, the agency said it was taking “proactive action” with the warning, while “investigative processes are conducted”.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said he was in contact with the FBI, the Office of Homeland Security and State Preparedness and the state attorney general.
“We are monitoring the situation closely and working with local law enforcement to ensure all places of worship are protected,” Murphy said. wrote on Twitter.
The NYPD also said Thursday its intelligence and counterterrorism offices were working with the Joint Terrorism Task Force and the FBI to “ensure the safety and well-being of every area that encompasses our Jewish citizens and our synagogues here in New York and in the tri-state area.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said there was no related threat in New York, but officials continued to monitor the situation.
“Hate, threats or violence towards Jewish communities is unacceptable. We will always stand with our Jewish neighbours,” Hochul said on Twitter.
In recent years, the United States has seen an increase in anti-Semitic incidents, with 941 incidents in 2015 increasing to 2,717 followed in 2021 by the Anti-Defamation League. Thursday, the ADL said he was working with the FBI to deal with the credible threat and advised synagogues and Jewish organizations to “remain calm and on high alert”.
Just over four years ago, a gunman burst into a synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and killed 11 people in the deadliest attack on the Jewish people on American soil.
The FBI’s warning on Thursday comes amid continued reports across the country about anti-Jewish bigotryincluding several antisemitic messages who appeared in public spaces in Jacksonville, Florida over the weekend, and a group of protesters who hung banners on a Los Angeles freeway earlier in October showing his support for anti-Semitic comments made by Kanye West. Photos also showed the group with their arms raised in what appeared to be a Nazi salute. Los Angeles officials condemned the incident.
West previously made a series of anti-Semitic outbursts, notably on October 8, when he tweeted that he was “going to die stupid 3 [sic] On JEWS,” and also that “you played with me and tried to blacklist anyone who opposed your program,” without specifying which group he was addressing, according to Wayback Machine records from the Internet Archive. excerpted by CNN.
His tweet was deleted and Twitter locked his account. In an interview conducted after the controversial tweet, West told Piers Morgan he was sorry for the people he had hurt, but said he had no regrets for making the remark.
CNN has contacted the FBI for more information on their tweet.
This is a developing story and will be updated.