FBI warns of ‘credible threat’ to New Jersey synagogues

FBI warns of ‘credible threat’ to New Jersey synagogues

Congregants have been urged to take precautions to protect their communities and buildings.

Police officers stand watch outside the United Synagogue of Hoboken in New Jersey. (AP pic)
WASHINGTON:
The FBI warned yesterday that there was a credible threat to synagogues in New Jersey, asking that they take security precautions to protect their communities and buildings.

“Stay alert,” the FBI’s field office in Newark said in a brief statement.

The statement shared no specific details about the threat. FBI agents were investigating the matter, the statement said.

“We will share more information as soon as we can,” the statement said.

Less than 3% of Americans are Jewish, and synagogues across the US have long been wary of the threat of anti-Semitic attacks.

This was heightened in 2018 when a man attacked congregants gathered for Sabbath services at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, killing 11 people with a semi-automatic rifle.

The US Department of Homeland Security warned in February of heightened threats from extremist groups against synagogues, churches, and historically Black colleges and universities.

New Jersey governor Phil Murphy said in a statement that his office was “working with local law enforcement to ensure that all houses of worship are protected.”

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