The FBI issues a threat warning for the synagogues in New Jersey

Getty images

 

Getty images

 

According to the FBI, there is a “widespread danger” to synagogues in the US state of New Jersey.

The organisation urged people to take all necessary security measures to safeguard their neighbourhood and facilities right now.

It is unclear if the threat only affects a specific region of New Jersey or the entire state.

2,717 anti-Semitic incidents, a record, were registered in the US last year.

BBC reported that, since the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a watchdog organisation against hate crimes, started keeping track of such events in 1979, this number was the highest.

The Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey retweeted the FBI warning on Thursday with the comment: “If you see something, say something. Stay safe.”

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said he had been in touch with the state attorney general’s office and law enforcement 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 tweeted.

The ADL recorded 370 anti-Semitic incidents in New Jersey in 2021, also a record.

In April this year, a New Jersey man was charged with federal hate crimes for a series of violent assaults around Lakewood, which is home to a large community of Orthodox Jewish families.

The FBI’s warning comes as incidents of anti-Jewish bigotry continue to be reported nationwide.

Kyrie Irving, a player for the Brooklyn Nets basketball team, apologised on Wednesday for tweeting a link about a film featuring anti-Semitic tropes.

It’s reported that, Kanye West was last month locked out of his Twitter and Instagram accounts after posting anti-Semitic messages.

A hate group later hung banners over a Los Angeles motorway expressing support for the musician’s anti-Semitic comments.

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