Arr
est in JCC Bomb Threats
This news is hours-old as I write on Thursday afternoon. My initial reaction to the news: Jewish or not, string him up! He has caused untold anguish and fear, not to mention diverting precious security resources. He has brought shame on himself, his family, and all Jews everywhere.
Yes, it crossed my mind that this is a disturbed individual, but what he did is unconscionable.
And then I read a few press reports; perhaps I have been too harsh:
The teen's attorney told the court that the young man has had a brain tumor since the age of 14, and has been homeschooled since then. The attorney said that the tumor affects his behavior, Ynet reported.
The teen reportedly used advanced
technology
and voice-altering equipment to call in the threats to more than 100 JCCs, Jewish day schools and other Jewish institutions in the United States, according to The Times of Israel. He also is accused of making a threatening call to Delta Airlines, leading to the emergency landing of at least one plane.
During the cyber unit's raid on the teen's home, police found a computer lab with sophisticated equipment, encryption and transmission systems, and a powerful antenna, according to reports.
The army refused to draft the teen after finding him unfit for service, Haaretz reported.
His father also has been detained on suspicion that he knew about his son's activities, and ordered held in jail until March 30.
Israel's minister of public security, Gilad Erdan, commented on the teen's arrest.
"I congratulate the Israeli police on leading a complex international investigation, together with law enforcement agencies from around the world, which led to the arrest of the suspect," Erdan said. "We hope that this investigation will help shed light on some of the recent threats against Jewish institutions, which have caused great concern both among Jewish communities and the Israeli government."
