The Jewish Federation of San Antonio announced on Facebook on Saturday that Texas has lifted the security alert issued for the Jewish community in San Antonio after the FBI explained there was no longer a known imminent threat.
Both the FBI and the US Department of Homeland Security also released statements on Saturday indicating that they’ll continue investigating the online threat made by an individual that was possibly intending on carrying out an attack on a synagogue in Texas.
Although the FBI noted that it does not currently have any assessment as to the veracity of the threat, Stop Antisemitism Movement executive director Liora Rez wrote on Twitter about the antisemitic, homophobic fliers that the residents near the Northside of San Antonio reportedly received last weekend from Jon Minadeo II’s group – Goyim Defense League.
While the federation was pleased to announce that there was no longer an urgent concern, it recommended the Jewish community to stay vigilant and aware of one’s surroundings at all times.
At the same time, it expressed its gratitude for the diligence, expertise, and professionalism of its local and national law enforcement partners, and the Anti-Defamation League and Secure Community Network.
The Jewish community in San Antonio was put on high alert by the Jewish Federation of San Antonio on Friday following a credible threat identified by the FBI targeting an unconfirmed Jewish community facility in the San Antonio area.
The organization stated in a post shared on Facebook that it was taking all appropriate steps to ensure the safety of the community, recommending in communication with all local synagogues and organizations that all formal Jewish gatherings be suspended until further notice.
In an abundance of caution, all synagogues in the area have notified their security personnel about the threat with instructions for them to operate at the highest alert level.
Temple Beth-El was among the first to announce that it would be canceling all services, both in-person and online, in response to the security threat.
Following the reports on alert in San Antonio, the official safety and security organization of the Jewish community in North America, the Secure Community Network (SCN), also released a statement reminding of the Situation Report it published about a potential threat on July 7.
SCN has been working closely with the FBI, as well as other local, state, and federal law enforcement as well as community security partners related to this threat.”
SCN added that “we will provide relevant updates, as necessary. As this remains an active investigation, out of an abundance of caution, we encourage community organizations to remain vigilant and report any suspicious persons and/or activity to local law enforcement immediately.”
Rez added that “Today, Jewish life in San Antonio was shut down based on warnings from the FBI prompting alerts throughout the Jewish community to avoid gathering in synagogue on the Sabbath or at any local Jewish facility.
“As history has shown us, what starts with hateful words nearly always ends in tragedy,” she continued. “We are grateful that the FBI has since determined that there is no longer a ‘known imminent threat’ for this community and we continue to urge vigilance during this time of heightened antisemitism across the United States.”
Be the first to comment