Arrest of One Person in Connection with Threats Against Jewish Centers in the U.S.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested one person in connection with recent threats against several Jewish centers in the United States, including the non-profit organization "Anti-Defamation League". This report was published by Reuters, citing the "Anti-Defamation League" and the Associated Press, which quoted U.S. federal officials. The Associated Press states that the individual identified as Juan Thompson has been accused of making threats against at least eight Jewish centers to harass his ex-girlfriend, and it has been reported that he mentioned his girlfriend's name in some of his phone threats. The Washington Post also reported that Juan Thompson, a 31-year-old from Missouri, is scheduled to appear in court on Friday, March 11. At least eight Jewish centers across the U.S. recently received threatening messages, and on February 22, the "Anti-Defamation League", headquartered in Manhattan, New York, received a bomb threat, although no bomb was found on the premises. Prior to this, the North American Jewish community had announced that several Jewish centers had to evacuate their buildings on Monday, February 21, due to bomb threats. The day after these threats, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a strong statement condemning the wave of threats against Jewish centers and denounced anti-Semitism. Mr. Trump stated, "The anti-Semitic threats targeting Jewish communities and their centers are disturbing and painful, serving as a sad reminder that much work remains to eradicate hatred and discrimination." On Wednesday, March 2, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security issued a statement requesting that his department provide necessary security assistance to Jewish institutions and centers across all states in light of the increasing threats. Mr. Kelly reported that officials from the Department of Homeland Security have spoken with representatives of the centers that were threatened, and the department has committed to providing consultation, guidance, and training to Jewish centers in all states to enhance security measures. Concurrently with these threats, Jewish graves in cemeteries in Missouri, Pennsylvania, and recently New York have been vandalized. According to U.S. media reports, none of the bomb threats have been carried out so far, but the attacks on cemeteries and the desecration of gravestones have hurt Jewish sentiments and raised concerns about their safety. The "Anti-Defamation League" has reported that anti-Semitism has increased "unprecedentedly" in the U.S. since the recent presidential election, and as reported by the Washington Post citing the North American Jewish Association, there were one hundred threats recorded against Jewish centers and schools in dozens of states in January and February.