ADL Welcomes Justice Department Filing of Criminal Charges in Bomb Threats Against Jewish Community Institutions

New York, NY, April 21, 2017 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today welcomed the U.S. Department of Justice’s filing criminal charges against the Israeli-American teen charged with making more than 150 bomb threats to Jewish Community Centers, schools, ADL offices, and other Jewish community institutions.

Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO, issued the following statement:

We welcome the Department of Justice filing charges against the Israeli-American teen arrested in connection with more than 150 bomb threats against JCCs, schools, ADL offices, and other community institutions in dozens of states across the country.  These threats were hate crimes that sparked widespread fear in these intentionally-targeted Jewish community institutions – causing evacuations, significant service disruptions, program cancellations, and deep community anxiety.  We welcome the Justice Department and FBI’s commitment to follow the evidence that will now be uncovered and vigorously investigate these threats of violence as possible hate crimes, able to be prosecuted as such under American laws.

While we have the utmost respect for Israel’s law enforcement authorities and its criminal justice system, we think it is entirely appropriate for the alleged perpetrator to face criminal charges in the United States.  The serious disruption of lives and services happened here in the United States; the alleged perpetrator should face charges here.  We urge the Israeli government to work cooperatively with the Justice Department in the investigation and, if the investigation warrants, to support an American extradition request and work in partnership to ensure a successful prosecution in the U.S. 

ADL publishes a Security Manual Protecting Your Jewish Institution to assist Jewish institutions in creating welcoming environments while keeping them safe, conducts extensive security training programs for community institutions, and is a leading producer of training resources for law enforcement officials on extremism, terrorism, and hate violence.