More than 50 synagogues throughout Florida received bomb threats on Wednesday, local media reported.
The emailed threats were sent to synagogues mainly in South Florida in Miami, Broward County, and Palm Beach County.
Bomb squad sweeps were conducted at the affected synagogues; no threats were determined. Several local and state agencies are now investigating the threats.
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the state had provided more funding than ever to provide security against antisemitic attacks
(Photo: Octavio Jones/Reuters)
The bomb threats were issued a day after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that the state had provided more funding than ever to provide security against antisemitic attacks.
"Florida is prepared. We have put out money where our mouth is and if you are going to try to bring that to our state you are going to end up hitting a brick wall," DeSantis said. "If people are being targeted because they are Jewish or for any other reason, we are going to hold the offender accountable."
There were 463 anti-Semitic incidents in Florida in 2023, according to the Anti-Defamation League's annual tally. There has been a marked increase in antisemitic incidents since October 7, according to reports.
“Everyone should care. Unfortunately, the hatred that starts in the Jewish community overflows and it becomes a problem for everyone,” Rabbi Josh Broide, of the Boca Raton Synagogue, told local media.
"This is obviously very concerning. The government and the authorities will have to deal with this. As far as the community is concerned, it is never good to panic and we must be vigilant. In the last few months, we have seen an uptick in anti-Semitic incidents and demonstrations and again this is all very concerning," Rabbi Yisroel Spalter of the Chabad of Weston told CBS News Miami.
A bomb threat sent by email is a federal crime and can lead to a prison sentence of up to 10 years if there is a conviction.