Arrest of Israeli-American for bomb threats brings relief

UNITED STATES: The arrest of a young Israeli-American for dozens of bomb threats against American, New Zealand and Australian Jewish institutions sent relief through Jewish communities yesterday, but raised new questions about the threats and a broader rise in anti-Semitism.

Israeli police arrested the unidentified man on suspicion of phoning in the bulk of the bomb threats, which have hit more than 100 Jewish centres in the US since the beginning of the year.

The Anti-Defamation League has counted more than 150 hoaxes, causing shutdowns and evacuations of day schools. The man is also suspected of calling in a bomb threat against Delta Air Lines in early 2015.

While his arrest has been praised by US Jewish leaders, it has also perplexed them. Police said the man, who hid under his shirt when brought into a court south of Tel Aviv yesterday, is Jewish and holds Israeli and US citizenship.

His father was also arrested, and will be held for the next week, authorities said. His identity is also under a gag order.

‘‘We are troubled to learn that the individual suspected of making these threats against Jewish Community Centres, which play a central role in the Jewish community, as well as serve as inclusive and welcoming places for all . . . is reportedly Jewish,’’ said Doron Krakow, chief executive of the JCC Association of North America.

But, said Brian Levin, a hate crimes expert and professor at California State, San Bernardino: ’’It’s not always the stereotypical bigot. There are various types of offenders that commit these symbolic high profile acts, including the mentally unstable offender, those seeking personal benefit or revenge, thrillseekers, and those conflicted about their identity.’’

He expressed concern that the arrest of a Jewish suspect would embolden the very people most likely to carry out anti-Semitic acts.