03/23/2017
Statement: Arrest of Suspect in Threats
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Jewish Federation of Cleveland
Statement Regarding Apprehension of Suspect in Threats to Jewish Institutions
We are grateful to the FBI, and all other authorities locally, nationally, and internationally who played a role in apprehending this subject. Thank you for protecting and defending our Jewish community and the many community members from diverse faiths and cultures who use our institutions. No group of people should be a target of hate, from within or outside of their community, for any reason. We stand against hate and for unity.
Gary L. Gross
Board Chair
Jewish Federations of North America
The Jewish Federations of North America Praise Law Enforcement Officials for Arrest
Israeli police announced Thursday that they had arrested an 18-year-old man with dual Israel-U.S. citizenship as the primary suspect for the majority of bomb threats that have been called into Jewish Community Centers and other Jewish institutions in 40 U.S. states and 4 Canadian provinces.
Jerry Silverman, President and CEO of The Jewish Federations of North America, released the following statement, praising law enforcement and expressing relief that an arrest has been made.
“Ten days ago, and again this morning, Jewish leaders were briefed by top officials from the FBI. From those briefings we learned about the unprecedented level of time and resources that were committed to this investigation along with high levels of cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security and a long list of partners, including Israeli law enforcement. It was heartbreaking to learn that a Jewish man is a prime suspect.
Our ability to adapt quickly and liaise with law enforcement officials was in large part due to the work of the Secure Community Network. As a community and a society we must remain vigilant in our effort to counter anti-Semitism and other hate crimes as they appear. We are fortunate to know we have partners in law enforcement who will do whatever it takes to bring these perpetrators to justice.”
