Synagogues repeatedly targeted by ‘online trolls’ making ‘swatting’ calls to report bogus bomb threats: Report

The Anti-Defamation League reported a string of “swatting” incidents within the past month involving more than two dozen synagogues across the country.

According to the ADL, unknown individuals have been calling in fake bomb threats targeting Jewish prayer services. These incidents have involved at least 26 synagogues and two ADL offices in 12 states within the last four weeks.

On Sunday, the ADL released a statement about the string of incidents, noting the swatting calls were made by “a group of online trolls.”

ADL CEO and national director Jonathan A. Greenblatt said, “ADL continues this evening to work with law enforcement and community partners to mitigate the ongoing disruption to Jewish prayer services, as well as additional targets, by a group of online trolls who swat and call in fake bomb threats.”

Greenblatt added that the calls made by the group included “highly antisemitic language.”

“They also appear to have expanded their targets, including several African-American churches and a news organization,” he continued. “The ADL Center on Extremism is working closely with law enforcement to identify the individuals responsible for these concerning and potentially dangerous activities.”

The ADL posted a similar statement on Twitter over the weekend, noting that the group seems to focus on synagogues that livestream their services online.

One incident involved the Temple Beth Torah Synagogue in Fremont, California. KTVU reported that the house of worship was evacuated around 8 p.m. on Friday after police received a call about a possible bomb threat.

Authorities stated that no “suspicious devices or persons” were found. The police reported that synagogue officials stated they were aware of similar hoaxes occurring at other places of worship.

Temple Beth Tikvah synagogue in Fullerton, California, was evacuated late Saturday morning following a false bomb threat, according to police.

Rabbi Mati Kirschenbaum told KNBC-TV, “Sadly, this is something that many temples, many Jewish houses of worship … have to live with.”

Authorities reported that the caller made “antisemitic” statements but that the comments “did not rise to the point of being criminal in nature.”

Approximately 30 people were evacuated while police searched the property, and no explosive devices were discovered.

No arrests have been made so far.

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