Three synagogues and a museum in New York City received false bomb threats on Saturday.
As per the New York Post, at approximately 3:15 pm, police received a report of a bomb threat at Congregation Rodeph Sholom near Central Park. The synagogue was promptly evacuated, and police later confirmed that the threat was unfounded. Shortly after, a similar threat was reported at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, a progressive, LGBTQ-friendly synagogue located in the Upper West Side. After sweeping the unoccupied building, the NYPD determined that this bomb threat was also false.
The string of false threats continued at 5:15 pm when The Brooklyn Heights Synagogue on Remsen Street received a bomb threat. Authorities evacuated three employees and confirmed that no explosives were found on the property. Just fifteen minutes later, the Brooklyn Museum, an art museum situated in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, also received a bomb threat, which police later determined to be false.
In response, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul stated that her office is working closely with law enforcement to monitor the situation.
“Threats have been determined not to be credible, but we will not tolerate individuals sowing fear & antisemitism,” Hochul wrote on X. “Those responsible must be held accountable for their despicable actions.”
New York City’s Jewish community has been on heightened alert since October 7, when Israel came under a brutal attack by Hamas terrorists. The ensuing war has sparked violent anti-Israel protests across the city and has led to a 45% surge in antisemitic hate crimes, according to the report.
