Sessions, Comey discuss threats with Jewish leaders

Attorney General Jeff Sessions and FBI Director James Comey met with Jewish leaders Thursday to discuss a series of threats that have shaken communities across the country. 

The talks come after a suspect was arrested in Israel in connection with bomb threats against Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) and schools that have gone on for months. 

“The Department of Justice will not tolerate hate crimes against Jewish communities or the targeting of any community in this country on the basis of their religious beliefs,” the agency said in a statement. 

{mosads}Sessions praised community leaders “for their responsiveness, efficiency, calm and competence in the face of those who would threaten these institutions and the millions of Americans who walk through their doors.”

The top law enforcement official met with community center heads and officials from the JCC Association of North America. Comey met with Jewish Federations of North America chief Jerry Silverman and other leaders. 

Authorities last Thursday arrested a 19-year-old Jewish Israeli teenager, who is accused of making threats in the U.S., New Zealand and Australia. 

The arrest was the result of collaboration between U.S. and Israeli law enforcement agencies, which are still trying to determine the suspect’s motive, officials say. 

Police also apprehended a former journalist earlier this month for making similar threats against Jewish community centers and museums.