2017-02-22

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) issued the following statement today in response to the increasing incidence of anti-Semitism across the country:

“I am deeply concerned by recent threats to Jewish Community Centers – including the JCC of Greater Baltimore – and by other anti-Semitic acts and crimes that have taken place across the country. Today, I joined many of my House colleagues in sending a letter to the Department of Homeland Security, the Justice Department and the FBI, requesting that law enforcement and intelligence officials intensify their efforts to address these threats. It is imperative that immediate steps be taken to assess the situation, prosecute the perpetrators and deter future acts of intimidation and violence. In every community of our nation – with the raised voice of every leader and citizen alike – we must relentlessly and tirelessly combat anti-Semitism in all its forms. We have an obligation to do so not just for the moral integrity of our own country but as a clarion call to other nations to resist such bigotry wherever and whenever it occurs.”

A full copy of the letter sent by Congressman Sarbanes and his House colleagues is below.

* * *

The Honorable John F. Kelly

Secretary

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

3801 Nebraska Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20016

The Honorable Jeff Sessions

Attorney General

U.S. Department of Justice

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530

The Honorable James B. Comey

Director

Federal Bureau of Investigation

935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20535

Dear Secretary Kelly, Attorney General Sessions, and Director Comey,

We write to express our deep concern regarding the recent spate of anonymous bomb threats made via telephone against Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) across the nation.  We urge the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice to swiftly assess the situation and to advise Congress on what specific steps are being taken, or will be taken, to deter such “telephone terrorism,” to identify and prosecute the perpetrators for violations of federal criminal laws, and to enable JCCs to enhance security measures such as physical barriers and guards, in the event that an individual seeks to act upon these threats.

This is not an idle concern, given that there have been at least three casualty-causing attacks at JCCs or other Jewish institutions in the last two decades—in 2014 at a Kansas JCC, in 2006 at the Jewish Federation of Seattle, and in 1999 at a California JCC.  This is a national problem and, as such, it requires a national solution.

According to February 16, 2017 article on CNN.com, the JCC Association of North America (JCC Association) reports that 48 JCCs in 27 states received telephonic bomb threats in January 2017 alone.  A number of JCCs, such as the Orlando Jewish Community Center, received multiple threats.  On February 20th, 11 JCCs in as many states received bomb threats via telephone.

These phone calls have an immediate emotional impact, of course, but they also have an economic impact.  JCCs provide a range of educational and community services for Jewish and non-Jewish individuals and families, with a particular focus on children and youth.  The individuals who make these calls no doubt recognize that bomb threats, particularly when repeated, can compromise and even destroy a JCC’s financial future.

We urge you to approach this issue with a sense of urgency, and to work in partnership with state and territory governments, local law enforcement officials, the JCC Association, individual JCCs, and Jewish community institutions and leaders to address the threat in a holistic manner.  We look forward to your response regarding the specific steps being taken to prevent and respond to this threat.

Sincerely,

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