The FBI has "received credible information of a broad threat to synagogues" in New Jersey. A tweet from the agency's Newark office Thursday said, "In case of emergency call police ... The FBI takes all threats seriously and we are working with our law enforcement partners actively investigating this threat," reports Politico. "We are engaged with our faith-based partners in the affected community. The FBI did not release details on the nature of the threat. New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin said law enforcement across New Jersey will be increasing patrols in "sensitive areas." Some patrols will be in marked vehicles and others will not, Platkin said. "We continue to work together to keep New Jersey safe, and let those who would bring harm to the residents of the State know that New Jersey will not be home to hate, intolerance or violence," Platkin said.
Gov. Phil Murphy said, "We are closely monitoring the situation and are working with local law enforcement to ensure that all houses of worship are protected," Murphy tweeted. In a statement Thursday evening, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) said he would be meeting with law enforcement officials and rabbis from across his North Jersey district. "To those who made these antisemitic terroristic threats: We will not cower. We will not back down," Gottheimer said. "In the greatest country in the world, religious freedom will win and antisemitism and hate will lose." Antisemitic incidents have been on the rise in recent years, hitting an all-time high in 2021, according the Anti-Defamation League. The organization says the number of antisemitic incidents in New Jersey rose by 25 percent last year, reaching 370. The total is the most recorded in New Jersey since the ADL began tracking incidents in 1979.