The person was interviewed, the law enforcement sources said. The sources described him as a man who may have autism and said he had been bullied in the past.
The man spoke to law enforcement with anger he said he had toward Jews, but reportedly said he would not harm them because he did not want to get in trouble, law enforcement sources said.
The FBI’s Newark office confirmed the threat had been mitigated on Twitter on Friday, shortly after New Jersey’s governor and state attorney general said as much.
Details about what exactly prompted the warning on Twitter Thursday afternoon from the FBI remain unclear at this time. The Newark branch tweeted that it had received “credible information” about a “broad” threat to state synagogues.
“At this time we ask that you take all security measures to protect your community and facilities,” FBI Newark tweeted in part. “We will share more information as soon as possible. Stay alert. In case of emergency call the police.”
Amid the flurry of confusion and concern that erupted in the immediate aftermath, officials stressed that the public warning was issued out of an abundance of caution. A source said there was no specific plot or action in progress, but because the online threat was deemed credible, the FBI felt it was important to alert the public so that security could be increased.
Synagogues across the state were asked to remain vigilant, and police in some communities stepped up patrols. No specific targets were mentioned. Officials stressed that the online threat is widely reported in New Jersey temples.
Governor Phil Murphy said he was pleased the threat had been mitigated and thanked the FBI and law enforcement partners for their efforts.
“While this particular threat may be mitigated, we know it remains a tense time for our Jewish communities facing a surge of anti-Semitic activity,” Murphy said. “We will not be indifferent. We will remain vigilant. We will take any threat with the utmost seriousness and we will stand up and stand side by side with our Jewish congregations.”
“This threat violated one of our nation’s most fundamental tenets – the right to worship according to the dictates of our conscience and our sacred and sacred traditions,” the Democrat tweeted. “We will always strive to ensure that every New Jerseyan of every faith can continue to live, study and worship without fear for their safety.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hotchul said she too had been informed of the threat. There was no relative in the Big Apple.
The NYPD confirmed the same. He said the department’s intelligence and counterterrorism offices are “working diligently with the Joint Terrorism Task Force and the FBI to ensure the safety and well-being of every region that includes our Jewish citizens and synagogues here in New York and the tri-state area.” .”
Mayor Eric Adams said the five boroughs were ready to help as needed.
“The insidious rise of blatant anti-Semitism in recent years, with vicious lies and hatred spread by voices of bigotry and bigotry, must never be ignored. It must be confronted,” he said. “We will keep our Jewish community safe.”
We continue to monitor threats made against synagogues in New Jersey and stand ready to help our neighbors in any way we can.
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) November 4, 2022
The abrupt warning, and its emphasis on its preemptive nature, left some law enforcement officials wondering why this threat was deemed more credible than many others published daily. Officials say the warning was issued as a reminder to remain vigilant, given the rise in anti-Semitic incidents in New Jersey and elsewhere in recent months.
“It was a non-specific threat. We have a system in place to make sure all players are involved and mobilized,” explained Anti-Defamation League New York/New Jersey Director Scott Richman. “But in this environment, you have to be careful.”
The investigation is ongoing.
