BY COMFORT OGBONNA

On Saturday, at least three synagogues and a museum in New York received bomb threats, but none of them were considered credible by the New York Police Department, according to a city official and the police.

Manhattan Borough President Mark D. Levine said on X the synagogue bomb threats were “a clear hate crime, and part of a growing trend of ‘swatting’ incidents targeting Jewish institutions.”

Last year, incidents of assault, vandalism, and harassment targeting Jewish people in the U.S. more than doubled, reaching a record high, according to a report by the Anti-Defamation League. This increase in anti-Semitic actions coincided with heightened tensions following the Israel-Hamas war in October.

Two synagogues in Manhattan received bomb threats today: Rodeph Shalom on W. 83rd and Chabad of Midtown on 5th Av & 43rd.

Both threats were determined by NYPD to be fake.

A clear hate crime, and part of a growing trend of "swatting" incidents targeting Jewish institutions.

— Mark D. Levine (@MarkLevineNYC) May 4, 2024

Update: Now at least 4 synagogues in Manhattan have received bomb threats. None thankfully deemed to be credible.

But this is a clear effort to sow fear in the Jewish community. Cannot be accepted. https://t.co/IbdMRSo9To

— Mark D. Levine (@MarkLevineNYC) May 5, 2024

A police spokesperson stated that several threats were received on Saturday, including an emailed bomb threat to the Brooklyn Museum and one to a synagogue in Brooklyn Heights. No evidence of any explosive device was found.

Antisemitic incidents of assault, vandalism and harassment in the U.S. more than doubled last year to a record high as anti-Jewish sentiment spiked after the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October, the Anti-Defamation League said in a report last month.

A police spokesperson stated that several threats were received on Saturday. These included an emailed bomb threat to the Brooklyn Museum and another to a synagogue in Brooklyn Heights. No evidence of any explosive device was found.

Additionally, two synagogues in Manhattan received bomb threats. This led to the evacuation of about 250 people from a West Side synagogue, although nothing suspicious was discovered.

Governor Kathy Hochul of New York stated that state officials were actively monitoring multiple bomb threats at synagogues in New York. These threats have been deemed not credible.

We are actively monitoring a number of bomb threats at synagogues in New York. Threats have been determined not to be credible, but we will not tolerate individuals sowing fear & antisemitism. Those responsible must be held accountable for their despicable actions.

— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) May 4, 2024

Hochul added, “We will not tolerate individuals sowing fear & antisemitism. Those responsible must be held accountable for their despicable actions.”