I'm not at all surprised. At our university, a group calling itself Jews for Peace, sets up tables calling for an end to the "Occupation" and to Israeli "apartheid" and basically wants to end Israel (which, of course, is Hamas's idea of "peace). There are plenty of self-hating Jews, which is not surprising given that Jews have lived for centuries in a toxic atmosphere of Judophobia, as gays have in an atmosphere of homophobia
7
Sad so many people want to spread hate and fear. Lies to push a twisted narrative. Just like the black guy who was also making threats to the Jewish community. The Muslim who started his mosque on fire. Etc...
So many fake hate crimes and allegations recently we need stiffer penalties for these sick people. Glad the NYT is reporting on the true stories. Reminds me of the Albany bus incident front page story of black girls getting attacked by racist white students. The real story came out weeks later and was a page 6 story if even reported. Stop the lies and games
So many fake hate crimes and allegations recently we need stiffer penalties for these sick people. Glad the NYT is reporting on the true stories. Reminds me of the Albany bus incident front page story of black girls getting attacked by racist white students. The real story came out weeks later and was a page 6 story if even reported. Stop the lies and games
5
So really? Some unemployed 18-year old kid with mental health issues, no high school education, no military experience, living with his parents, has the time, interest, intelligence and financial capability to anonymously call in literally HUNDREDS of threats globally against the Jewish community, even forcing a Delta flight to be evacuated?
Completely implausible!
My next bet is - if further investigation into this is 'permitted' and 'just' - authorities will discover that this 18-year old 'kid' was merely a pawn in a larger game. Put up to doing this, and carefully chosen for his supposed 'mental health issues' so as to escape serious prosecution or scrutiny. He won't be imprisoned for long. His lawyer has already been playing the mental health card like a broken record! And this kid likely has a generous offshore bank account waiting for his troubles, if he doesn't mysteriously 'die' of a brain tumor first (which will most likely happen just as the heat is turned up on the real perpetrators).
My bets are on Bibi.
Enough is enough. We all need peace. Everyone! There is no excuse for anyone, anywhere to go out of their way to intentionally cause pain, suffering and duress to anyone else, no matter their race, religion or orientation. To do so from within is reprehensible.
The people behind it need to be exposed, and severely dealt with.
Completely implausible!
My next bet is - if further investigation into this is 'permitted' and 'just' - authorities will discover that this 18-year old 'kid' was merely a pawn in a larger game. Put up to doing this, and carefully chosen for his supposed 'mental health issues' so as to escape serious prosecution or scrutiny. He won't be imprisoned for long. His lawyer has already been playing the mental health card like a broken record! And this kid likely has a generous offshore bank account waiting for his troubles, if he doesn't mysteriously 'die' of a brain tumor first (which will most likely happen just as the heat is turned up on the real perpetrators).
My bets are on Bibi.
Enough is enough. We all need peace. Everyone! There is no excuse for anyone, anywhere to go out of their way to intentionally cause pain, suffering and duress to anyone else, no matter their race, religion or orientation. To do so from within is reprehensible.
The people behind it need to be exposed, and severely dealt with.
10
"My bets are on Bibi". Look, I personally don't care for him, but I do care for the truth. We'll see where the facts fall, but the report looks real. Don't mistake an agenda for facts--that's today's politics, and it is a blight on society.
3
Conspiracy theory springs eternal! Sometimes things are just what they seem -- in this case a sick kid who is Internet-savvy.
9
From the news reports, this was not a family fitting any Israeli norms. The kid never went to school? But is remarkably conversant with sophisticated technology and the parents bought him everything he needed to do--what?
There's a lot more here than some unfortunate kid with a brain tumor. Is this the internet-weapon version of Adam Lanza, who was highly intelligent but profoundly mentally and emotionally ill; whose mother refused to recognize the extent of his problems and bought him exactly the sorts of toys no person in their right mind would allow anywhere near him? She turned out to be not all that tightly wrapped herself. Is this a family on the autism spectrum indulging the most severely affected member? What's with the bitcoin account?
And seriously. The Israelis couldn't home in on him until the FBI came over to help? Sure. Sell me a bridge in the Negev, why don't you?
There's a lot more here than some unfortunate kid with a brain tumor. Is this the internet-weapon version of Adam Lanza, who was highly intelligent but profoundly mentally and emotionally ill; whose mother refused to recognize the extent of his problems and bought him exactly the sorts of toys no person in their right mind would allow anywhere near him? She turned out to be not all that tightly wrapped herself. Is this a family on the autism spectrum indulging the most severely affected member? What's with the bitcoin account?
And seriously. The Israelis couldn't home in on him until the FBI came over to help? Sure. Sell me a bridge in the Negev, why don't you?
12
I'll reserve my judgement on this suspect until more facts come out. Btw, I find it strange that a previous suspect - that Hispanic guy - did not get nearly the airplay this new suspect is getting. Why is that and what is happening with that case? Interesting the way that one has been brushed aside. Btw, I thought the Hispanic guy's "motive" was weird also, so I'm not even convinced they got the right person.
Something does not add up in this whole scenario--either with this Jewish guy or the Hispanic one. My suspicion is that this whole thing is way more complicated than anyone wants to admit right now.
Something does not add up in this whole scenario--either with this Jewish guy or the Hispanic one. My suspicion is that this whole thing is way more complicated than anyone wants to admit right now.
3
I'm seeing many comments regardless no the cemeteries- how could the kid have toppled gravestones with a computer... obviously he could not have- what most likely happened is that two unrelated events happened to coincide, digital threats and a physical desecration. Either that or the digital threats led to a motivated physical desecration by an independent party. Of course, there is still the chance the kid had contact with a network of anti-semites (sadly people with brain diseases can have changed behavior and I feel sorry for the boy and his family) who did the physical work. Let's use our brains people - and hope that kid is able to recover (though he will probably die in a couple years since he's had the timer since 14 yrs old).
5
Majority of the gravestone "incidents" were completely natural or happened long ago in cemeteries that were neglected, as shown in photos proving vines had grown over the portion where the headstones fell.
3
Why not call him a "terrorist"? You say he "terrorized a neighborhood."
8
Reading the various comments I got the feeling after a while that quite apparently the personality of a Herostratos is unknown in the United States,. It's never mentioned in a criminal case. Even if the motivation is evident.
Please answer with your opinion in this direction.
Please answer with your opinion in this direction.
1
"The Israelis could have ignored this if they wanted to"
This is a new standard for judgement? That criminal enforcement for an Israeli is merely an option? Not only is this statement offensive, but it's also probably untrue, assuming that the American DOJ/FBI didn't force Israel's hand.
This is a new standard for judgement? That criminal enforcement for an Israeli is merely an option? Not only is this statement offensive, but it's also probably untrue, assuming that the American DOJ/FBI didn't force Israel's hand.
5
I wonder how many attributed this to a Muslim?
8
The height of irony. Blame everybody and then the action comes from within. Of course he has brain tumor, the poor boy.
7
The motivation still remains unclear. Without knowing anything about this person, potential scenarios are: 1) he was trying to drum up sympathy for Jews and Israel 2) he's a mentally deranged person looking for attention (or, per this article, he's a physically ill person being influenced by his brain tumor) 3) he's a "self-hating" Jew seeking to discredit Israel and Judaism 4) he comes from a conservative Israeli background (Bibi/Trump supporter), and was trying to intimidate liberal (and chasidic) Jews and their community centers. Still, this doesn't answer who was behind the cemetery desecrations and other property damage, or detract from the real rise in antisemitism in the US and around the world.
13
There is no 'real' rise in anti-Semitism.
2
If he wanted attention, why hide his face?
1
Surely he was flagged by the NSA? If they don't listen to bomb threats coming out of the Middle East what do they listen to, pizza orders in Cincinnati? Some Israeli's act like they should be congratulated for coming forward with this individual, that they could have just kept quiet about the whole thing, really?
4
The article points out that he routed his calls through Tor. They couldn't easily be traced back to Israel as the originating location.
2
So, even though he has many health problems, a tumor etc. he was intelligent enough to avoid detection by the NSA, then what use are they? O that's right listening to those pizza orders in Cincinnati.
3
Who is responsible for the desecration of several Jewish cemeteries?
4
Could be the same kids/vandals who knock over tombstones in Christian cemeteries. a very common event in everyone's city.
5
Yes, believe it or not an anti-Semite can even be Jewish. Look at Norman Finkelstein, formerly of the ACLU, he is one of the worst.
3
Nice try.
6
Hopefully Norman Finkelstein is an educated man having a good judgement of this run-down world
3
Cui bono, et qui cognoverunt.
...and who 'predicted' certain email Wikileaks?
Did the same team 'anticipate' this type of finding?
Keep connecting dots, guys. There's a big fish on the line.
...and who 'predicted' certain email Wikileaks?
Did the same team 'anticipate' this type of finding?
Keep connecting dots, guys. There's a big fish on the line.
2
I have often wondered just who is keeping anti-Semitism alive.
15
I don't wonder who is keeping anti-semitism alive - I already know--just look to neo-nazi groups, KKK, white supremacists, etc. If you are implying that it is the Jews who are the ones keeping anti-Semitism alive, then you are ignorant.
1
Turns out the whole time it was this one 19-year old Israeli-American. Remarkable.
3
The brain tumor boy is only taking a page from a time honored playbook of his own government which has used exaggeration of antisemitism as well as black flag provocations in order to whip up fear and spur Jewish immigration to Israel under an atmosphere of intensified guilt on the part of the gentiles.
6
Well, he clearly couldn't topple gravestones using a computer in Israel...
7
If the suspect was paid, who paid him? How is it the Donald Trump mentioned that it was someone from "within the community", week's ago... did he know something? Was it money that came directly or indirectly from the Russians?
3
Call Dr. Daniel Amen for his expertise on reading brain scans. Brain tumors do affect cognitive function. This boy was home schooled. Was this because of his disability?
1
Israel has the most sophisticated intelligence in the world. You mean it took OUR F.B.I. to alert them to what was going on, really?
10
And consider, folks:
"Some five computers were confiscated as well as other equipment, including antennas he used to access other people's networks..."
"Upon searching his computer, a bitcoin account was discovered, and it’s being examined whether the suspect received payment for some of the calls he allegedly made."
Sophisticated tactics.
Source: Haaretz
"Some five computers were confiscated as well as other equipment, including antennas he used to access other people's networks..."
"Upon searching his computer, a bitcoin account was discovered, and it’s being examined whether the suspect received payment for some of the calls he allegedly made."
Sophisticated tactics.
Source: Haaretz
2
It is becoming apparent that a vast majority of the threats recently committed against against Jewish institutions were in fact not a sign of a widespread resurgence of anti-Semetism but the actions of two troubled young men.
It's important for us as a society to try to not jump to extreme conclusions when such incidents occur. Modern cyber technology allows individuals to project their voices globally in a cloaked manner, making the actions of individuals appear to be that of a much larger group of people.
More such incidents as these wil occur in the future. When they do, it's important that we wait to see whose behind the curtain. It might not be a great Oz but just a mentally ill kid.
It's important for us as a society to try to not jump to extreme conclusions when such incidents occur. Modern cyber technology allows individuals to project their voices globally in a cloaked manner, making the actions of individuals appear to be that of a much larger group of people.
More such incidents as these wil occur in the future. When they do, it's important that we wait to see whose behind the curtain. It might not be a great Oz but just a mentally ill kid.
12
Do you give Islamic persons who do terrorist acts the same understanding? are they also just mentally ill? Or is that "different"?
1
So much for not jumping the gun Chris, and for not knowing who's behind the curtain. We don't know his name or even what he looks like, yet here you are declaring him mentally ill!
It certainly seems to me Chris that it is YOU who has jumped to an "extreme conclusion" in this matter!
It certainly seems to me Chris that it is YOU who has jumped to an "extreme conclusion" in this matter!
2
He's certainly aware and cognitive enough to hide his face. Brain tumor? Right...sure.....and I have a bridge in NY for sale - anyone interested?
13
If there wasn't something wrong with him he would have been drafted for the Israeli army, but he was excused. As someone with a lot of Israeli relatives I can tell you that it is extremely hard to get an exemption from the army - even if you can't do the physical stuff they usually find something administrative for you, which is termed "Close to Home". The fact that he did nothing is a sign something was very wrong with him.
4
Thank you NY Times for printing this story and allowing comments. Every religious group is capable of hatred, none are exempt.
9
This young idiot has played right into the hands of the Trumpies who can now point with glee to his deeds as proof of "fake news" and "false flags".
4
This is an example of what happens when a man like 45 is placed in office by the very people that condone this behavior. Running to trumps aid in this comments section doesn't make this behavior go away. Lest any of us forget the phobic slurs he used to win his office. The deplorable people who put him there think things like these desecrations have nothing to do with trump, think again. He has set the tone for more to come!
What slurs? He loves the jews, blacks, the uneducated, mexicans....
Crying wolf in our digital era is too damaging for inconsequential dismissal.
Disease happens including insidious paranoia spreading.
The convoluted behavior deserves serious punishment.
False alarming to create fear is felonious.
Disease happens including insidious paranoia spreading.
The convoluted behavior deserves serious punishment.
False alarming to create fear is felonious.
3
What about the fear that is fed daily in this newspaper? By the U.S. government and Israeli government? Is that felonious behavior too?
2
This whole thing is very sad. Whether these threats were made by a ew or a Christian, they certainly caused great consternation. This young man moist certainly has problems, most probably because of the brain tumor. He should be treated not as a criminal, but as a sick individual, who probably did not realize what he was doing to the many Jewish organizations in the United States. He
should be more pitied than scorned.
should be more pitied than scorned.
1
I simply could not get over the fact that this nut with a supposed brain tumor was led into a crowded courtroom completely unshackled AND un-cuffed. He was at all times within arm's reach of the weapon openly worn by the guard who escorted him in.
The Israelis apparently felt that the only way to keep this poor fellow's identity secret was to allow his hands to be free so he could keep his face covered. I suppose had he grabbed the guard's weapon and killed somebody, they would have simply killed HIM, and later produced
a golf ball sized "tumor" which of course would have been blamed for this whole unfortunate affair.
The Israelis apparently felt that the only way to keep this poor fellow's identity secret was to allow his hands to be free so he could keep his face covered. I suppose had he grabbed the guard's weapon and killed somebody, they would have simply killed HIM, and later produced
a golf ball sized "tumor" which of course would have been blamed for this whole unfortunate affair.
8
When Trump said "they are doing it themselves." Did he leak Intel, during the investigation? Nonetheless, there has been an increase in antisemitism since he declared his run for President. The basket of deplorable ...
2
Speaking as a Jew, this is even more embarrassing than Bernie Madoff.
9
It's probably too late for this, as it's almost 3/24, but maybe we should step back from this for a minute.
This guy is 19, which is still a 'teen' in English, and apparently he has a brain tumor. He killed nobody, and is technically a suspect. Theoretically, he could be innocent, as he hasn't been proven guilty yet. If he's got a brain tumor, let's face it, modern medicine can only do so much and he's probably doomed whatever the verdict is.
He's Jewish, and that's a strike against him in various courts and opinions. He's young, he (may have) acted terribly, but he's no terrorist and he killed nobody.
So all global politics and religious conflicts aside, I think we shouldn't rush to judgement too quickly on this one particular kid (sorry, he's a kid to me, I'm over twice his age), and should return to larger issues, like the very real, physical hate crimes that are taking place constantly.
This guy is 19, which is still a 'teen' in English, and apparently he has a brain tumor. He killed nobody, and is technically a suspect. Theoretically, he could be innocent, as he hasn't been proven guilty yet. If he's got a brain tumor, let's face it, modern medicine can only do so much and he's probably doomed whatever the verdict is.
He's Jewish, and that's a strike against him in various courts and opinions. He's young, he (may have) acted terribly, but he's no terrorist and he killed nobody.
So all global politics and religious conflicts aside, I think we shouldn't rush to judgement too quickly on this one particular kid (sorry, he's a kid to me, I'm over twice his age), and should return to larger issues, like the very real, physical hate crimes that are taking place constantly.
5
Well he (or whoever made the threats, if he is innocent) IS a terrorist. A terrorist is someone who acts in order to sow fear in a community. That is exactly what happened. While whoever made the threats did not actually follow through, the threats were intended to (and I'm sure for all the JCCs that were evacuated, for the children whose preschools were threatened and for the parents who worried that someone was trying to harm their children, the threats did in fact) sow fear, confusion, doubt, etc. Let's be sure to call terrorists terrorists when we see them and not pretend that this Jewish man was not a terrorist the same as Islamist terrorists we've seen.
11
"This guy is 19, which is still a 'teen' in English"
It is not. It is a man.
" I think we shouldn't rush to judgement too quickly..."
Oh, please. Suspect's a Jew -- let's not rush too quickly. Okay.
It is not. It is a man.
" I think we shouldn't rush to judgement too quickly..."
Oh, please. Suspect's a Jew -- let's not rush too quickly. Okay.
2
Wow!
Except when it might have been one of the Trump "deplorables" it deserved 24-7 media coverage, and a mass hysterical knee-jerk psychological response against "anti-semitism" and rightwingers, the Trump message...
Except when it might have been one of the Trump "deplorables" it deserved 24-7 media coverage, and a mass hysterical knee-jerk psychological response against "anti-semitism" and rightwingers, the Trump message...
The antisemitic is...a Jew? Go figure.
2
I hate it when Trump is right....
5
Thank you for having a comment section. After all, it was the American Jewish centers that were under attack, so one would figure it was Americans doing the threats. While there is anti-semitism in this country, I don't believe it is as widespread as is perceived. I thank you for letting us have our say about the matter, how we feel.
3
Even the heading of the article in NYT and CNN is incomplete. If it was a Muslim teen, It would have made headline about a "Muslim Teen" where as the fact that this guy was actually an Israeli Jew is buried deep in the content of the article.
The article should be re-published with correct headline identifying the origin and the religion of the individual just like a Muslim's would have been.
The article should be re-published with correct headline identifying the origin and the religion of the individual just like a Muslim's would have been.
10
Well, if one would rather not have to read an entire article or didnt know that the vast majority of citizens of Israel are Jewish, I'm sure that one would like that to be so.
Me, I would prefer that people would have to actually read. There is entirely too much literal laziness these days.
Me, I would prefer that people would have to actually read. There is entirely too much literal laziness these days.
1
Yes, that's so true
1
Is this not the definition of a "false flag" event?
Even if it was allegedly committed by a teenager with a brain tumor.
Even if it was allegedly committed by a teenager with a brain tumor.
6
Wow: As much as I hate to admit it, those who insinuated that at least some of these were false flags are vindicated today:
8
He is smart enough to use spoofing hardware/software and knows enough to track down 100s of Jewish Centers, that tumor defense just doesn't wash.
Imagine, if he weren't jewish living in Israel, he would have been housed in some Israelite black site receiving all sort of interrogations!
People got sent to Gitmo for far lesser crime
Imagine, if he weren't jewish living in Israel, he would have been housed in some Israelite black site receiving all sort of interrogations!
People got sent to Gitmo for far lesser crime
33
Absoulte foolishness. His being in Israel will not absolve him of any crimes.
1
That isn't how tumors or (potential) trauma to the brain work. Just because his cognition (ability to think and reason) isn't impaired does not mean that his impulse control, emotional regulation, judgement, and perception are intact. There are plenty of people with compromised neurology whose reasoning stays intact, but their judgement is hopelessly wounded. Just look at Phineas Gage.
The impact of the tumor on his behavior will vary depending on his preexisting function level, the size, type, and location of the tumor. From the article, we do not have enough data to make a determination regarding the impact of the tumor and a panel of battling neurologists and neuropsychologists will likely be trotted out to testify both for and against the theoretical impact.
What he did was idiotic, offensive, and enormously damaging to many people, regardless of the potential biological contributors to his behavior. That doesn't mean that potential contributors aren't important, though.
Saying "that doesn't wash" with literally none of the necessary information to make that judgement . . . Well, your baseless assessment just doesn't wash.
The impact of the tumor on his behavior will vary depending on his preexisting function level, the size, type, and location of the tumor. From the article, we do not have enough data to make a determination regarding the impact of the tumor and a panel of battling neurologists and neuropsychologists will likely be trotted out to testify both for and against the theoretical impact.
What he did was idiotic, offensive, and enormously damaging to many people, regardless of the potential biological contributors to his behavior. That doesn't mean that potential contributors aren't important, though.
Saying "that doesn't wash" with literally none of the necessary information to make that judgement . . . Well, your baseless assessment just doesn't wash.
1
I'll try to let you know, read my comments and replies here and we'll see how much freedom of speech counts around here anymore...
This boy's behavior is his behavior. It doesn't implicate or exonerate anyone else.
Those who jumped to conclusions before this was discovered were wrong to do so. Those jumping to different conclusions are wrong now.
Those who jumped to conclusions before this was discovered were wrong to do so. Those jumping to different conclusions are wrong now.
8
I don't understand why there is a comment section open for this news story. Most news stories do not offer to accept comments. Here, it seems to serve only as an opportunity for anti-Semitic hate mongers to vent. An ill and mentally disturbed boy made bomb threats without carrying any of them out. If Christian churches were threatened, no one would say it was just a bid for sympathy by the Christian community. No, it would be terrorism all right, and the paranoia would send some to their pantry-stocked shelters, certain it was the End of Times. It seems obvious that if your viewpoint is anti-Semitic, you will jump on any excuse to interpret events to substantiate your hate, no matter how irrational or just plain stupid--more examples of jealous mental illness.
36
Yeah it just seems to defy medical logic that only Muslims never get any mental illness or tumors or any disease whatsoever which can prompt such behaviour although their countries and homes are being bombed for more that three decades.
A Muslim with PTSD? Depression? Impossible. Not.
A Muslim with PTSD? Depression? Impossible. Not.
3
"I don't understand why there is a comment section open for this news story."
Not anti-Semitic, anti-NY Times fake news.
"If Christian churches were threatened, no one would say it was just a bid for sympathy by the Christian community."
No, but a lot of folks here would jump on it as an example of right-wing hate groups.
Are you getting it yet?
Not anti-Semitic, anti-NY Times fake news.
"If Christian churches were threatened, no one would say it was just a bid for sympathy by the Christian community."
No, but a lot of folks here would jump on it as an example of right-wing hate groups.
Are you getting it yet?
@sand ...
Oh, you don't "understand" why the Times might allow readers to vent about this little boy who cried "wolf!" -- what he did, and what this is. "Freedom of speech" might have something to do with it. You might not like it but, then again, that's a good thing. Makes his offense a nit harder to cover up.
I, for one, don't buy the brain tumor excuse being bandied about by his defenders, who obviously feel they have much to defend. Basically, I think the Times decided to send you a message about this kind of misconduct, which is so damaging. I think he didn't act alone. I think he was put up to it.
And I think he got no small amount of professional help setting up his internet cloaking device. I work with computers a lot, so I am somewhat familiar with their innards. Technically speaking, this isn't something you just dream up and do one idle afternoon.
Oh, you don't "understand" why the Times might allow readers to vent about this little boy who cried "wolf!" -- what he did, and what this is. "Freedom of speech" might have something to do with it. You might not like it but, then again, that's a good thing. Makes his offense a nit harder to cover up.
I, for one, don't buy the brain tumor excuse being bandied about by his defenders, who obviously feel they have much to defend. Basically, I think the Times decided to send you a message about this kind of misconduct, which is so damaging. I think he didn't act alone. I think he was put up to it.
And I think he got no small amount of professional help setting up his internet cloaking device. I work with computers a lot, so I am somewhat familiar with their innards. Technically speaking, this isn't something you just dream up and do one idle afternoon.
1
Blame it on the brain tumor. I had one once and all they did was take it out. Imagine what I could have gotten away back then with that as a excuse. Stupid me. Live and learn.
22
Dear Iver Thompson, I had no idea. You were incredibly lucky, and I wish you well. My aunt had a brain tumor, they operated, she was never quite the same, and her quality of life dwindled rapidly. Same with a good friend's stepmom. Thirty years or more ago, there was very little they could even do about that kind of cancer.
But yes, check out the research, brain tumors can cause changes in personality, judgement, and other things that might have led to this:
http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/brain-tumor/symptoms-and-signs
But yes, check out the research, brain tumors can cause changes in personality, judgement, and other things that might have led to this:
http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/brain-tumor/symptoms-and-signs
It gets to me as well. Whenever a serious crime is committed, the perpetrator either had a miserable childhood / is mentally ill (find an illness that sounds great)/ has been traumatized..... What about taking responsibility for once? It seems that courts are shying away from pronouncing sentences that suit the crimes. If someone is insane, put him or her in an institution for treatment, not let them back out in the streets. The G.O.P. would have their work cut out for them by at least making the law great again.
1
The article doesn't specify the location of the tumor, the size, or the type (glioma, glioblastoma, meningioma, or neurocytoma). It doesn't even say if it's malignant or benign. Not all brain tumors are removable. Not all brain tumors have a severe effect on behavior or cognition. Some, however, do. Neuro oncology is enormously complex and two 'identical' tumors in two different people can have very, very different psychological and medical impacts. You are lucky that you had an operable condition that (presumably) did not leave you irrevocably impaired. You are being unreasonable in assuming that your personal situation can be extrapolated to anyone else just because they also have a tumor.
1
This is not the first or second time I can recall that similar stories have appeared in the NYT over the years where anti-Semitic calls and threats were made by Jews.
I distinctly recall about 15 years ago similar phone calls on KristallNacht anniversary perpetrated by a Jewish fellow in Brooklyn.
I distinctly recall about 15 years ago similar phone calls on KristallNacht anniversary perpetrated by a Jewish fellow in Brooklyn.
12
Sorry, but there have been far more threats from neo-Nazi, KKK, etc. towards Jews. Just because you "remember" an incident or two years ago, doesn't mean this a regular occurrence, because it is not, and should not be a barometer with which to measure these incidences.
11
I have friends in New Jersey and on one visit there we all went into Brooklyn to see some of their relatives. My friends are from Israel, their parents from Eastern Europe, and they were some of the pioneers who built Israel after the war. While driving in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn we passed by a classically styled synagogue completed with stone columns as part of it's facade. The building was surrounded with NY Police crime scene tape. I saw swastikas in red paint all over the front. I said, "my God, what happened?" My friends told me that they were done by a radical sect within the Hasidic community. Why? Because this sect did not consider this synagogue Jewish enough.
There are many fake hate crimes in America and have been for some time (I suspect the number has increased since Trump took office in an attempt to discredit him). The Southern Poverty Law Center, scoundrels that they are, use every "hate crime" to raise money, which makes the problem appear worse than it is. A visit to www.fakehatecrimes.org will give you an idea of the size of the problem.
1
My nomination for the Understatement of the Year:
[QUOTE]
Joel Dinkin, the executive vice president of the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston, said that it was “a little bit perplexing from the standpoint of the fact that it’s somebody Jewish.”
[END QUOTE]
"A bit perplexing...." And the Titanic was a bit wet.
[QUOTE]
Joel Dinkin, the executive vice president of the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston, said that it was “a little bit perplexing from the standpoint of the fact that it’s somebody Jewish.”
[END QUOTE]
"A bit perplexing...." And the Titanic was a bit wet.
19
This hate-filled, young Talmudist should be extradited to the USA and be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. There are those who say he really doesn't hate Jews and that may be the case. But clearly Christian Americans were blamed for his heinous behavior and had aspersions of antisemitism cast upon them through out the media. Even our fine Christian President was blamed for this young Jew's misdeeds. We must insist on an American trial and and long prison sentence.
19
Nobody blamed Christian Americans. Antisemites, regardless of faith, were blamed for the incidents.
"Our fine Christian president"? Are you on drugs? This president wouldn't know Jesus or his teachings if they bit him in the rear. Newsflash: Trump is completely irreligious and only panders to the Christian right to win and be worshiped by his base. He has no morals and no real faith.
"Our fine Christian president"? Are you on drugs? This president wouldn't know Jesus or his teachings if they bit him in the rear. Newsflash: Trump is completely irreligious and only panders to the Christian right to win and be worshiped by his base. He has no morals and no real faith.
2
Ah, yes. Christians were the victims here.
1
"Our fine Christian President" ??? Is that satire?
1
I read the comments and am confused and angry by almost all.
Trump supporters find vindication, with some glee, that the perpetrator was an Israeli- Jew. This lines up with Trump's conspiracy thinking: that while his opponents want to blame hateful crimes on his rhetoric, he claims these acts are directed by political opponents to make him look bad by ramping up these acts.
Other folks say these threats, while made from outside this country, reflect the heightened expression of intolerance becoming more common since Trump's election.
There is most likely truth in both views. But take a breath and ask, "What do we do now to stop it?"
Trump supporters find vindication, with some glee, that the perpetrator was an Israeli- Jew. This lines up with Trump's conspiracy thinking: that while his opponents want to blame hateful crimes on his rhetoric, he claims these acts are directed by political opponents to make him look bad by ramping up these acts.
Other folks say these threats, while made from outside this country, reflect the heightened expression of intolerance becoming more common since Trump's election.
There is most likely truth in both views. But take a breath and ask, "What do we do now to stop it?"
3
We don't know if the suspect was paid. If he was, could this have been money funneled from the Russians or from those who want to divide people?
Okay, so they got the guy who made threatening phone calls from the other side of the planet. They still haven't identify who is flipping tombstones, or spraying graffiti. Hatred is still around us.
60
Unfortunately there is no one ethnic group that has a monopoly on paranoia and psychosis. When a person's mind succumbs to insanity, the illness still takes the form of whatever social environment that person perceives. When a devout Moslem is affected by psychotic hatred, it is directed at his perceived enemies. Same goes for the Jews, and of course, for White Nationalists.
10
No apologies to Donald Trump or to bigots.
The threats and violent incidents in the media are but a tip of the iceberg. Just like rape, there are probably hundred if not thousands of minor and major incidents aimed at women, LGBTQ folks, people of colored, the disabled, etc. that are not being reported either by the media or by the victims themselves because they fear publicity, retaliation, etc.
In business, they say that one public complaint is actually equivalent to many more as most people don't want to be seen as raising a fuss or just don't feel their complaint would make any difference. I see the same happening with misogynistic, racist, etc. incidents and suspect even more so, as people in a weaker position seek to protect themselves and not draw any further attention.
The threats and violent incidents in the media are but a tip of the iceberg. Just like rape, there are probably hundred if not thousands of minor and major incidents aimed at women, LGBTQ folks, people of colored, the disabled, etc. that are not being reported either by the media or by the victims themselves because they fear publicity, retaliation, etc.
In business, they say that one public complaint is actually equivalent to many more as most people don't want to be seen as raising a fuss or just don't feel their complaint would make any difference. I see the same happening with misogynistic, racist, etc. incidents and suspect even more so, as people in a weaker position seek to protect themselves and not draw any further attention.
3
Calling in bomb threats isn't as 'irrational' as it is pre-meditated. I am skeptical of the 'tumor'defense'
20
Right on. He was smart enough to know how to scramble his identity and hide his location while sending threats across the world. Irrational? Me thinketh not.
4
I wish ending hate strong enough to lead a person to dehumanize others and terrorize them simply for being who they are them was as simple as removing a physical tumor.
1
Though the suspects in these cases have been a rather odd lot, for certain, hard to believe Southern Poverty, given its extensive database, didn't have this guy on the radar.
Nonetheless, seems this young man's family owes the American people a profound apology, especially in light of all the political attacks, media chaos, and finger-pointing his actions brought to our shores.
Nonetheless, seems this young man's family owes the American people a profound apology, especially in light of all the political attacks, media chaos, and finger-pointing his actions brought to our shores.
9
The worst thing about this is that it gives Trump--at least in his and his followers’ mind/s-- the right to say, “I told you so.”
Smearing pro-Palestinian activists and passing legislation curtailing the legal right in many states to suppress students who support Boycotts is also current news. These laws were passed even as every Pro-Palestinian group categorically condemned these bomb threats. Now that it is a Jewish-Israeli has confessed, all this legislation and action including New York's own governor who signed laws limiting free speech, will still be on the books. So in an age where false facts have traction and legislative results, let us be clear that some on the left have also used the same tactics to push legislation that targets free speech and pluralistic democracy.
6
This guy should be charged with not only anti-Semitism, but also for also inciting hate and suspicion against Muslims as all unspoken eyes were on Muslims as the culprit behind these threats.
10
I hadn't heard that Muslims were accused of these threats and cemetary desecrations. In fact, I was happy to see the news shared widely of how Muslim groups were helping to clean up the cemeteries, resetting the stones, and providing cemetery guards. I laid these threats and terroristic activities at the feet of the neo-Nazis, skinheads and other right wing nutjob groups.
2
No one owes an apology to Donald Trump. He has created an atmosphere of hate which has encouraged yet another troubled young man into irresponsible behaviour. US intelligence agencies can almost certainly tell when emails are routed via Tor. That's why Trump had a good idea that they came from one source and that it wasn't redneck or Islamic.
5
"He has created an atmosphere of hate which has encouraged yet another troubled young man into irresponsible behavior."
These sort of incidents have been occurring for some time now. I support The Holocaust happened because of Trump.
Yep,,, keep drumming.
These sort of incidents have been occurring for some time now. I support The Holocaust happened because of Trump.
Yep,,, keep drumming.
The JCC Association of North America sent a letter to Attorney General Sessions expressing their frustration:
“Local law enforcement have represented a beacon of responsiveness and professionalism as our communities have endured dozens of anti-Semitic threats in past weeks,” the letter said. “We respectfully ask that federal agencies, including your own, do the same” thus suggesting that his office was not sufficiently responsive or professional.
In view of the arrest of a suspect in Israel after a complex and extensive international investigation in which the U.S. participated, the JCCs owe an apology to Mr. Sessions.
“Local law enforcement have represented a beacon of responsiveness and professionalism as our communities have endured dozens of anti-Semitic threats in past weeks,” the letter said. “We respectfully ask that federal agencies, including your own, do the same” thus suggesting that his office was not sufficiently responsive or professional.
In view of the arrest of a suspect in Israel after a complex and extensive international investigation in which the U.S. participated, the JCCs owe an apology to Mr. Sessions.
8
No, they do not.
10
Why not? Please defend your position. Whether you like Mr. Sessions or not (and I don't), the fact remains that the Department of Justice, including the FBI, fulfilled its responsibilities, and did not deserve unjust criticism born of frustration.
They sure do.
There's something fishy here. If this young man had such a serious brain tumor since age 14/15, with a potentially destructive behavioral component to it, why was he being given unsupervised access to sophisticated computer programs by his supposedly concerned parents? Is this another tragic "Adam Lanza" situation...or something else?
14
Sophisticated programs? He's a script-kiddie, at best.
2
Because after age 18 you are an adult.
And he was exempted from the army so it's not like he was given a gun.
And he was exempted from the army so it's not like he was given a gun.
How does this fit into the Trumpian view that all terrorists come from certain countries in the Middle East? In the same way that the London attacker was British born, this incident proves once again how blind one can be to reality when one only sees what one wants to see.
I wonder what Trumpy's going to tweet about this? That Israel needs to be added to "the list?" Not on your life.
I wonder what Trumpy's going to tweet about this? That Israel needs to be added to "the list?" Not on your life.
19
Well technically Israel is in the Middle East, but of course Trump's view is insane, thousands of terrorists have been white Europeans, black Africans, Hispanic South Americans, Japanese Asians, and you name it.
3
Since you asked, in which country was he arrested? Just sayin'
The fact that the accused is an Israeli Jew doesn't in any way, shape, or form erase the fact that he engaged in terrorism. His purpose was to terrify adults and children...goal accomplished-- this was not fake terrorism, it was the real deal.
While the threat was fake, the emotions that were evoked were not. The intense fear that a six year old girl must have felt when she was evacuated, due to the possibility of a bomb exploding, was real--there was nothing fake about her emotions.
Clearly this person has tremendous psychological problems. But as the old song goes, "something's happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear..."
While the threat was fake, the emotions that were evoked were not. The intense fear that a six year old girl must have felt when she was evacuated, due to the possibility of a bomb exploding, was real--there was nothing fake about her emotions.
Clearly this person has tremendous psychological problems. But as the old song goes, "something's happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear..."
21
How can you presume to know this person's motivation(s)!?
And you ignore a clear secondary (primary?) result of his actions: the stoking of antagonism toward people who are NOT Jewish, particularly Muslims.
Is it just not possible for you to acknowledge the fear that these people might have as a result of the default position that a Muslim was responsible for these activities (and was and will be responsible for other unsolved terrorist activities)?
No one is denying that this was terrorism. But were you EVER concerned that a Jew would be falsely accused? Maybe the FBI and the Israelis have falsely accused this man?
And you ignore a clear secondary (primary?) result of his actions: the stoking of antagonism toward people who are NOT Jewish, particularly Muslims.
Is it just not possible for you to acknowledge the fear that these people might have as a result of the default position that a Muslim was responsible for these activities (and was and will be responsible for other unsolved terrorist activities)?
No one is denying that this was terrorism. But were you EVER concerned that a Jew would be falsely accused? Maybe the FBI and the Israelis have falsely accused this man?
1
A tangled web. Who was financing him?
"The cybercrimes unit of the Israel Police made the arrest on Thursday after receiving intelligence from the FBI and other foreign agencies. Police seized computers and other items investigators say helped the suspect evade detection.
The suspect’s father was also arrested, and a judge ordered both of them to remain in custody for eight additional days.
...The suspect's motive is unknown, but police accuse him of hundreds of incidents involving threats to institutions around the world, including Israel, over a period of two or three years.
...Police say that he attempted to grab the gun of an officer who came to his home to arrest him.
...Upon searching his computer, a bitcoin account was discovered, and it’s being examined whether the suspect received payment for some of the calls he allegedly made."
Source: Haaretz
"The cybercrimes unit of the Israel Police made the arrest on Thursday after receiving intelligence from the FBI and other foreign agencies. Police seized computers and other items investigators say helped the suspect evade detection.
The suspect’s father was also arrested, and a judge ordered both of them to remain in custody for eight additional days.
...The suspect's motive is unknown, but police accuse him of hundreds of incidents involving threats to institutions around the world, including Israel, over a period of two or three years.
...Police say that he attempted to grab the gun of an officer who came to his home to arrest him.
...Upon searching his computer, a bitcoin account was discovered, and it’s being examined whether the suspect received payment for some of the calls he allegedly made."
Source: Haaretz
23
Turns out, in a surprise twist, the Koch brothers funded this whole scheme! Gee, conspiracy theories are fun.
Check it out, the Koch bros. needed to drum up anti-anti-Trump-hatemongering, proof positive that there's no such thing as anti-Semitism, so they picked a patsy with a brain tumor and paid him umpteen shekels to make all these bomb threats. Prove me wrong.
Check it out, the Koch bros. needed to drum up anti-anti-Trump-hatemongering, proof positive that there's no such thing as anti-Semitism, so they picked a patsy with a brain tumor and paid him umpteen shekels to make all these bomb threats. Prove me wrong.
Who financed him? Was it perhaps money funneled from Russia? Is this part of a larger plot? We don't have all the information. We don't know if there was more than one individual/group involved. Investigate Investigate. Hope it's thorough and the results are published in the much-disparaged media.
He may have a brain tumor but it certainly hasn't stopped him from causing incredible emotional duress to many people who use the JCCs. I wonder if he is aware of the furor that he has caused in the USA and other countries- There is NO EXCUSE for his behavior- his attorney must have his defense all planned out -BRAIN TUMOR MADE HIM DO IT!!!! RIGHT!!!
21
A brain tumour? Perhaps the resident of the White House should attempt that excuse.
27
Apparently the Times, many or most of its readers, and the Democratic Party live in a world where there has NOT been a number of false incidents of 'hate' used cynically (and inanely) to somehow blame Trump - a man who, unlike Hillary Clinton, dis not help arm neonazis in Ukraine and takfiri mercenaries in Syria, but is worse in the Left's book because... partisan blindness, arrogance, and stupidity.
If you are unfamiliar with hoax hate crimes: let me google that for you: http://bfy.tw/AmzB
If you are unfamiliar with hoax hate crimes: let me google that for you: http://bfy.tw/AmzB
19
How right you are.
Trump has never had to opportunity to do anything significant in the world. All he has done is fleece people for their money. Now that he is "in charge" we can see what he does or doesn't do. Of course, he will be long dead before he clocks the number of hours Hillary has done for public service, so he would never have enough time to make that many difficult decisions.
1
What does that have to do with the Left's current spate of hoax, hate crimes meant to frame the Right?
I shouldn't be amazed at the number of comments dismissing the resurgence of antisemitism in the U.S. because one perpetrator turned out to be Jewish, but I am.
Can any of them explain how this sick kid in Israel vandalized Jewish cemeteries in American cities? Is there an app for that now?
Can any of them explain how this sick kid in Israel vandalized Jewish cemeteries in American cities? Is there an app for that now?
94
Of course, this is just a 'sick' kid - let's turn our attention to the real criminals, the vandals, they are not sick, just dangerous anti-Semites. We get it.
5
Well, M. Imberti, let's put it this way:
The young Israeli man didn't punch an Orthodox woman in the stomach, or knife anyone, or shoot up a kosher grocery store. He didn't massacre Israel athletes or blow up an Israeli vegetable market or throw a stone into a woman's head while she was driving. No French Jew has decided against wearing a yarmulka when he goes out in the morning because of this young man, as so many French Jews have indeed decided.
Nevertheless, he caused mayhem. He made an airplane abort its flight, and way too many Jewish institutions had to evacuate, lose time, waste resources.
Let him get locked up. He might indeed have a brain tumor, but it hasn't affected his ability to use anonymity software or install bitcoin. Maybe someone's paying him. If so, find him too.
The young Israeli man didn't punch an Orthodox woman in the stomach, or knife anyone, or shoot up a kosher grocery store. He didn't massacre Israel athletes or blow up an Israeli vegetable market or throw a stone into a woman's head while she was driving. No French Jew has decided against wearing a yarmulka when he goes out in the morning because of this young man, as so many French Jews have indeed decided.
Nevertheless, he caused mayhem. He made an airplane abort its flight, and way too many Jewish institutions had to evacuate, lose time, waste resources.
Let him get locked up. He might indeed have a brain tumor, but it hasn't affected his ability to use anonymity software or install bitcoin. Maybe someone's paying him. If so, find him too.
4
Speaking about the cemetery in Missouri that was vandalized, there is no evidence that the vandals (who could have been teenagers without a religious gripe) knew it was Jewish or understood what that meant. The vandalism didn't have the usual markers of hate, like painted swastikas and hateful words.
It also wouldn't be the first cemetery vandalized by kids tipping over the stones. Everyone else simply assumed the motive.
It also wouldn't be the first cemetery vandalized by kids tipping over the stones. Everyone else simply assumed the motive.
1
Steven Miller is Jewish. Doesn't prove anything.
17
It is now clear that Israel knew threats to New Zealand & Australia JCCs came from an IP address in Israel but didn't want to bother finding him because???
3
Steven Miller is not Jewish. We refuse.
As Gerald Rafferty and Joe Egan have noted, there are clowns to the left of me, and jokers to the right. I'm sure glad I don't care about partisan politics. I've been trying to make some sense of it all, but I can see it makes no sense at all.
11
A line from Woody Allen's 1983 movie Zelig, speaking of Leonard Zelig's terrible childhood:
"In street fights with anti-Semites, his parents always sided with anti-Semites."
This guy is just like Zelig's parents!
"In street fights with anti-Semites, his parents always sided with anti-Semites."
This guy is just like Zelig's parents!
7
This is the way an investigation works. Follow the leads and collect the evidence, interpret the evidence and produce the evidence to indict, arrest, prosecute, judge and convict in front of a jury of reasonable people. Reporting the crime, opining about the crime and spinning the crime for entertainment and to gain support from one's favorite audience is for pundits and entertainers. What links, if any, to other co-conspirators will be gleaned from Teenager's computer. As for motive, who cares? "Some men just want to watch the world burn."
10
I don't see why this still can't be laid at Trump and the alt-right's feet even if the terrorist happens to be Jewish. There's no denying that Trump and his 'deplorables' have created a climate where intolerance is much more acceptable. Israel is definitely a right-wing country; the coziness between Bibi and the Donald make that crystal clear. It's been my experience that right-wing Jews hate liberal Jews almost as much as White supremacists do.
Donald Trump has surrounded himself with self-hating Black people, so it shouldn't be a surprise that there are self-hating Jews as well. This terrorist targets his own people which makes him extra evil in my book.
I hope this terrorist gets the same treatment a 19 year old Muslim with a brain tumor would get.
Donald Trump has surrounded himself with self-hating Black people, so it shouldn't be a surprise that there are self-hating Jews as well. This terrorist targets his own people which makes him extra evil in my book.
I hope this terrorist gets the same treatment a 19 year old Muslim with a brain tumor would get.
44
Now what happens to the NY Times' fake narrative that "antisemitic attacks" are the product of Trump's political positions. It turns out that these were not antisemitic attacks at all but, just as Trump said, "false flag" actions. It would not surprise me if the perpetrator of this and other so-called acts of "bigotry" are just leftist opponents of Trump's politics, trying to slander him.
12
It sure does seem strange for the ADL to say that "anti-Semitism in the US remains a very serious concern." The vast majority of US gentiles are fine with having a Jewish physician, or a Jewish attorney, or a Jewish legislative representative, or a Jewish judge, or a Jewish Supreme Court justice - or for that matter, a Jewish neighbor, friend, or spouse. I'm not saying there's no anti-Semitism; I'm saying that nationwide, it's not a serious problem.
23
The ADL is saying that not because of gentiles, Strato, but because of anti-Semitic leftists, as evidenced by the Leftists culprits making anti-Semitic threats.
1
Nonsense, bozicek. Of the anti-Semites in the USA, the overwhelming majority are nutcase rightwing KKK types. Of course, if "Leftists" criticize Israeli policies or actions, they are attacked as anti-Semites, which simply isn't true.
1
And we should believe you rather than the ADL because?
This is a sick young man. His motivation is not yet clear. But it is shocking to threaten 'your own people,' so to that extent, it is noteworthy. And very sad.
However, the commentaries go way beyond the situation, looking to support whatever ideological position you hold, hyperbole, unsupported speculations, frankly mostly garbage about issues not related to a criminal act by a sick man.
However, the commentaries go way beyond the situation, looking to support whatever ideological position you hold, hyperbole, unsupported speculations, frankly mostly garbage about issues not related to a criminal act by a sick man.
4
Shades of Daniel Burros, the self-hating Jew whom the great Times reporter, McCandlish Philips, uncovered as a member of the KKK.
Why are some Jews so anti-Semitic they would do almost anything to harm the Jewish religion and the Jewish community?
Why are some Jews so anti-Semitic they would do almost anything to harm the Jewish religion and the Jewish community?
3
for goodness sake-
its not self hate.
its hoax for political agenda.
its not self hate.
its hoax for political agenda.
3
I think I remember the same thing happened years ago in Hartford, CT. Jewish institutions were being defaced and fires were set. Turn out to be a Jewish kid (son of a Cantor). He got caught because he was calling sex lines/nudie bars while/just before/after vandalizing.
9
Funny how a lot of people are leaping to the conclusion that because of this one case, all anti-Semitic actions have been committed by Jewish people, and Trump has nothing to do with spreading hate.
Trump kicked off his campaign by spreading hate against Mexicans, his anti-Muslim ban is based on hatred of Muslims, and there have been plenty of hate crimes since his election, several every week. But people still seize on this one case to deny all of that.
What it says to me is that anti-Semitism is prevalent and widespread, and that Trump supporters are completely delusional.
Trump kicked off his campaign by spreading hate against Mexicans, his anti-Muslim ban is based on hatred of Muslims, and there have been plenty of hate crimes since his election, several every week. But people still seize on this one case to deny all of that.
What it says to me is that anti-Semitism is prevalent and widespread, and that Trump supporters are completely delusional.
30
I am glad this individual, if guilty, has been apprehended. I don't think "brain tumor" is going to work for an excuse--or it shouldn't, and the full force of the law should be slammed against him.
To those individuals advocating the merit in the argument eviscerating Jews for their perceived tendency to play the "victim card", history has, in the instance of the Jewish people, hundreds and hundreds and even more hundreds of years of documented proof, of so many different forms of abuse and violence directed toward the adherents of this religion and towards the race of this people, that it boggles the mind why anyone would possibly suggest it was a short term superficial ruse used "these days" by a cynical faction of supposed losers in that illustrious far-flung nation unless we remember most folks today don't think of history other than who won the game last week.
To those individuals advocating the merit in the argument eviscerating Jews for their perceived tendency to play the "victim card", history has, in the instance of the Jewish people, hundreds and hundreds and even more hundreds of years of documented proof, of so many different forms of abuse and violence directed toward the adherents of this religion and towards the race of this people, that it boggles the mind why anyone would possibly suggest it was a short term superficial ruse used "these days" by a cynical faction of supposed losers in that illustrious far-flung nation unless we remember most folks today don't think of history other than who won the game last week.
11
So. There's not enough "real" misery and prejudice going on in this world against Jews, and everyone else???
These days, the last thing needed is more incentive for acts like this.
Hopefully this is case of someone needing medical attention, and not just attention.
These days, the last thing needed is more incentive for acts like this.
Hopefully this is case of someone needing medical attention, and not just attention.
4
There's more than enough real misery including the misery that Israel, especially through it's ultra right wing leaders, and most especially Netanyahu are spreading.
17
I remember when this newspaper was running headlines linking the supposed rise in anti Semitism to the new administration. Good lesson in crying wolf. Now all of the legitimate criticisms of Trump will be devalued because folks were grasping at straws on this one. Just a sick kid, and an Israeli one no less.
19
Dave, Check SPLC. This one incident is not "the wave" and it is not only anti-Semitism.
13
John, if you're using the SPLC as a reference, good luck. To date, all of these anti-Semitic threats have been committed by Leftists. And if you're a betting man, I'll wager the rest will have been done by Leftists too. The Leftist stream of violent fascism is concerning.
2
This was many incidents. Most of the JCC threats were made by this person. It seems both sides are going to their playbook here.
My 4 yr old daughter's day care within JCC was one of the targets.
They were evacuated to the nearby church. My heart sank when I got the call from the school saying the kids had to be evacuated after a bomb threat.
When I picked up my daughter later that afternoon, she said, mommy, they had to 'vacuum' the school so we went to the church. She heard vacuum and not evacuate.
They were evacuated to the nearby church. My heart sank when I got the call from the school saying the kids had to be evacuated after a bomb threat.
When I picked up my daughter later that afternoon, she said, mommy, they had to 'vacuum' the school so we went to the church. She heard vacuum and not evacuate.
22
Agents of Isreal and Russia trying to disrupt democracy and they endeavor to dominate all territory in the vicinity of their borders.
5
I hope he stays in Israel; he will get better healthcare, certainly, and appropriate justice if necessary.
13
He can't be extradited. Israeli citizens can't be. Remember the Samuel Sheinbein case?
1
It depends if he is actually a resident of Israel, not just citizenship.
Sheinbein case is different. American citizen commits murder on American soil, flees to Israel (w father's help), Israelis refuse to send him back. That's not extradition.
Westsider, ADL is not apologizing to trump nor his anti-Semitic followers. We will keep your request in mind.
3
ADL did a good job at pointing this out as a reflection of anti-semiticism in America. Maybe they do owe the Goy an apology.
6
A tech-savy smart person with a brain tumor. Doesn't seem like the tumor is affecting his ability to engage in rational thought, if he can create such targeted havoc. A major concern should be that he not be allowed to work for bannon in the trump administration. Russian interference is more than enough.
20
He suffers from a brain tumor?!
There you go.
There you go.
7
This information was dispensed by his lawyer. There you go.
4
not at all relevant here.
3
So the coast-to-coast wave of anti-Semitic bomb threats was not perpetrated by rabid Trump supporters as the NYT and its readers so fervently hoped for. Why am I having a Michael Brown Deja vu moment??
21
I don't suppose the swastikas painted on walls and graves vandalized were done over the internet from Israel. There's still plenty of anti-semites and racists out there.
And we don't know what this kid's politics or motivation are.
And we don't know what this kid's politics or motivation are.
20
What exactly is a Michael Brown "deja vu moment"?
6
A hate crime is a hate crime no matter who is the person committing it.
21
But this wasn't a hate crime against Jews; it was a hate crime against white supremacists and perhaps Muslims [being the 'standard enemies' of Jews]
3
Motive, you ask?
This was a great way to shift attention away from minorities in America that are ACTUALLY at risk, e.g. the two Indian students that were shot in Kansas or the black teenager that was shot and killed among many other hate-fueled fatal attacks against people of color, including the mass shootings at the Charleston Church and Sikh Temple in Wisconsin.
While there have been many threats and acts of vandalism against Jewish centers in America, we have not seen them subject to the senseless violence that has immigrants and people of color literally fearing for their lives on a daily basis.
This was a great way to shift attention away from minorities in America that are ACTUALLY at risk, e.g. the two Indian students that were shot in Kansas or the black teenager that was shot and killed among many other hate-fueled fatal attacks against people of color, including the mass shootings at the Charleston Church and Sikh Temple in Wisconsin.
While there have been many threats and acts of vandalism against Jewish centers in America, we have not seen them subject to the senseless violence that has immigrants and people of color literally fearing for their lives on a daily basis.
18
That Jonathan a. Greenblatt considers these threats to be acts of "Anti-Semitism" borders to the grotesque.
This poor chap has quite apparently mental problems and should be treated correspondingly.
This poor chap has quite apparently mental problems and should be treated correspondingly.
7
I am Jewish and I very much question the decision to evacuate all the JCC's. News reports indicate that the bomb threats were not specific and little effort was made to elicit details
Schools probably get the most bomb threats This is what they do:
The best practice, supported by federal law enforcement explosives experts, is for schools and police to assess threats rather than automatically evacuating schools. Many schools across the nation do not automatically evacuate their schools upon receiving a bomb threat. Decisions and protocols on these issues should be determined by school officials and their public safety (police, fire, etc.) partners as a part of their emergency planning process and prior to an actual incident.
In general, the best practice followed by most school and public safety officials is to evaluate each incident on a case-by-case basis and determine whether to evacuate accordingly. We are concerned with the number of schools around the country immediately jumping to evacuations, often by pulling the fire alarm without the fire department knowing that such a procedure is being used for bomb threat evacuation rather than an actual fire.
Most notably, the early threats and JCC evacuations all turned out to be false alarms. To keep evacuating without regard to the specifics of the subsequent cases strikes me as unreasonable.
Schools probably get the most bomb threats This is what they do:
The best practice, supported by federal law enforcement explosives experts, is for schools and police to assess threats rather than automatically evacuating schools. Many schools across the nation do not automatically evacuate their schools upon receiving a bomb threat. Decisions and protocols on these issues should be determined by school officials and their public safety (police, fire, etc.) partners as a part of their emergency planning process and prior to an actual incident.
In general, the best practice followed by most school and public safety officials is to evaluate each incident on a case-by-case basis and determine whether to evacuate accordingly. We are concerned with the number of schools around the country immediately jumping to evacuations, often by pulling the fire alarm without the fire department knowing that such a procedure is being used for bomb threat evacuation rather than an actual fire.
Most notably, the early threats and JCC evacuations all turned out to be false alarms. To keep evacuating without regard to the specifics of the subsequent cases strikes me as unreasonable.
4
Dear Michjas,
That's a reasonable point, and I think pulling the fire alarm is a particularly bad way to evacuate for a bomb threat. But naturally, the worry is always that this time it might be the real thing, and nobody wants to fail to evacuate and then have a bomb go off.
That's a reasonable point, and I think pulling the fire alarm is a particularly bad way to evacuate for a bomb threat. But naturally, the worry is always that this time it might be the real thing, and nobody wants to fail to evacuate and then have a bomb go off.
2
In the article it states that "...an American official said it appeared that the man had used Tor, a widely available anonymity software, to try to mask his whereabouts. The software is used by a wide range of people, including those conducting illicit business on the so-called dark web and activists trying to avoid government censorship or surveillance."
One finds the tone of this article curious.
What kind of american official? Superintendent of Schools?
Why the association of secure browser software with the "oooh scary" sounding "dark web and activists"?
What else might freedom loving citizens try to avoid using this tor browser? predatory advertisers, predatory isp profiteers, organized crime syndicates?
Maybe nosey foreign governments in the middle-east.
This New York Times article (www.nytimes.com/2016/11/17/technology/personaltech/encryption-privacy.html) from November 16, 2016 recommends this technology to its readers.
BUT, it is all for not, since obviously it's not so "dark" and secure after-all, they found him, didn't they. The NSA as discussed elsewhere in this venerable publication can decipher any encryption (any and all).
Lastly for completeness I would bring to the readers attention that in many cemeteries loose tombstones are laid down by the staff for safety reasons (barring any obvious maliciousness).
Cheers!
One finds the tone of this article curious.
What kind of american official? Superintendent of Schools?
Why the association of secure browser software with the "oooh scary" sounding "dark web and activists"?
What else might freedom loving citizens try to avoid using this tor browser? predatory advertisers, predatory isp profiteers, organized crime syndicates?
Maybe nosey foreign governments in the middle-east.
This New York Times article (www.nytimes.com/2016/11/17/technology/personaltech/encryption-privacy.html) from November 16, 2016 recommends this technology to its readers.
BUT, it is all for not, since obviously it's not so "dark" and secure after-all, they found him, didn't they. The NSA as discussed elsewhere in this venerable publication can decipher any encryption (any and all).
Lastly for completeness I would bring to the readers attention that in many cemeteries loose tombstones are laid down by the staff for safety reasons (barring any obvious maliciousness).
Cheers!
5
"The NSA as discussed elsewhere in this venerable publication can decipher any encryption"
No, the NSA cannot crack ALL encrpytion. I study mathematics & computer science at Columbia and I can assure you that not ALL encryption methods are "crackable".
Please check your facts.
No, the NSA cannot crack ALL encrpytion. I study mathematics & computer science at Columbia and I can assure you that not ALL encryption methods are "crackable".
Please check your facts.
This young man plans to defend his crimes by saying he has a brain tumor. He seems pretty capable to using complicated computer software to plan his premeditated attacks. If his tumor is just compromising his ability to tell right from wrong, he still needs to be secured for his own safety.
I'm not surprised by any of these comments. Anti-Semitic acts (even committed by a Jew) only begats more anti-Semitic comments.
16
Something I've often wondered about: In the present digital age, has there ever been an actual bomb after someone phoned in a bomb threat? It seems to me that someone whose intent was to cause as much suffering to as many people as possible would not alert those people ahead of time.
This certainly doesn't mean such threats shouldn't be taken seriously or acted on. Just wondering.
This certainly doesn't mean such threats shouldn't be taken seriously or acted on. Just wondering.
1
Sometimes, it's not the person who planted the bomb calling in the notice, it might be someone else who caught wind of it or saw something suspicious.
Funny you should ask. At a recent meeting I attended with a Jewish civic organization, the same question was asked. The general consensus was that while certain protocols had to be followed in the event of a bomb threat, that if someone were really intent on blowing up a JCC, no advance warning would be given.
2
'Mr. Trump suggested that some of the threats and vandalism could be a politically motivated effort to “make people look bad,” rather than actual bigotry---'
So Trump was half right; although this arrest does not answer the vandalism, it certainly answers the spike in threats, which thankfully were just hollow threats.
But some people will still illogically blame Trump instead of give him credit for getting this 1/2 right.
So Trump was half right; although this arrest does not answer the vandalism, it certainly answers the spike in threats, which thankfully were just hollow threats.
But some people will still illogically blame Trump instead of give him credit for getting this 1/2 right.
7
some of the vandalism was debunked as wind tipping over tombstones and general disrepair.
2
Coming next: 100 US senators sign letter shaming Justice Department for embarrassing Israel.
"The Israeli police said the F.B.I. was deeply involved in the inquiry, which also drew the attention of police and security agencies around the world."
The guy knew how to make a phone call.
"The Israeli police said the F.B.I. was deeply involved in the inquiry, which also drew the attention of police and security agencies around the world."
The guy knew how to make a phone call.
5
This was a con game perpetrated by one Jew upon others in attempt to rile up a stereotypical response against third, innocent, parties, be they Muslims or Trump supporters. Same as the Liberal black reporter who did the same thing.
It was an attempt to use fear to rile up hatred. This is exactly what Anti-Semites have done in the past against Jews. Blame them for the fault of the world and use lies to further that debasement of others.
This wasn't anti-Semitism so much as preying upon the idea of victimhood for political gain. This was trying to tar others with the sin of defamation, which was itself a very act of defamation against those it was trying to tar.
If the ADL could look at other people as potential victims of defamation, they would understand it. But instead the ADL isn't really Anti-Defamation. In this case, they would realize that although the fear was directly Jewish, the defamation lay elsewhere.
It was an attempt to use fear to rile up hatred. This is exactly what Anti-Semites have done in the past against Jews. Blame them for the fault of the world and use lies to further that debasement of others.
This wasn't anti-Semitism so much as preying upon the idea of victimhood for political gain. This was trying to tar others with the sin of defamation, which was itself a very act of defamation against those it was trying to tar.
If the ADL could look at other people as potential victims of defamation, they would understand it. But instead the ADL isn't really Anti-Defamation. In this case, they would realize that although the fear was directly Jewish, the defamation lay elsewhere.
23
Well put.
Exactly. Thank you
Semite
Pronouncedˈsemīt/
noun
"a member of any of the peoples who speak or spoke a Semitic language, including in particular the Jews and Arabs."
"anti-Semitism, hostility toward or discrimination against Jews as a religious or racial group. The term anti-Semitism was coined in 1879 by the German agitator Wilhelm Marr to designate the anti-Jewish campaigns under way in central Europe at that time. Although the term now has wide currency, it is a misnomer, since it implies a discrimination against all Semites. Arabs and other peoples are also Semites, and yet they are not the targets of anti-Semitism as it is usually understood. The term is especially inappropriate as a label for the anti-Jewish prejudices, statements, or actions of Arabs or other Semites. Nazi anti-Semitism, which culminated in the Holocaust had a racist dimension in that it targeted Jews because of their supposed biological characteristics—even those who had themselves converted to other religions or whose parents were converts. This variety of anti-Jewish racism dates only to the emergence of so-called "scientific racism" in the 19th century and is different in nature from earlier anti-Jewish prejudices."
The term anti-semitic doesn't make sense in this context.
Pronouncedˈsemīt/
noun
"a member of any of the peoples who speak or spoke a Semitic language, including in particular the Jews and Arabs."
"anti-Semitism, hostility toward or discrimination against Jews as a religious or racial group. The term anti-Semitism was coined in 1879 by the German agitator Wilhelm Marr to designate the anti-Jewish campaigns under way in central Europe at that time. Although the term now has wide currency, it is a misnomer, since it implies a discrimination against all Semites. Arabs and other peoples are also Semites, and yet they are not the targets of anti-Semitism as it is usually understood. The term is especially inappropriate as a label for the anti-Jewish prejudices, statements, or actions of Arabs or other Semites. Nazi anti-Semitism, which culminated in the Holocaust had a racist dimension in that it targeted Jews because of their supposed biological characteristics—even those who had themselves converted to other religions or whose parents were converts. This variety of anti-Jewish racism dates only to the emergence of so-called "scientific racism" in the 19th century and is different in nature from earlier anti-Jewish prejudices."
The term anti-semitic doesn't make sense in this context.
3
A Jew can be anti-semitic. The world features many human anomalies. This is one. In other words, just because the alleged perpetrator is Jewish doesn't mean this isn't an attack on Jews.
5
Who knew?!?
1
Israeli should be proud of this guy who was able to raise the level of Islamophobia effective enough, Trump even executed the Presidential Order for the Travel Ban. Aren't we all partially guilty to assume the lunatic must be one of radical Arab in the US-most likely home-grown?
4
By definition, what this juvenile adult man did is terrorism. Can we add Israel to the list of banned travel countries? At the very least, shouldn't this terrorist have his American citizenship revoked and sent to Guantanamo? How about the Israeli government demolishing his home? Or will they simply say, oh he's one of "us", so it is not so bad.
Obviously he had the cognitive functions and abilities to hack his neighbor's wi-fi, use Tor, spoof phone numbers and look up numbers to dial around the world and write the script to call and threaten all of these Jewish facilities around the world.
This guy is no different than the two white dudes (one in SC and the other in NYC) slaughtering black people "just because" or to start a race war. What kind of war was this malcontent in Israel trying to cause around the world?
I assume Sessions will not tolerate the targeting of any community in this country on the basis of race either - in addition to religious beliefs.
Obviously he had the cognitive functions and abilities to hack his neighbor's wi-fi, use Tor, spoof phone numbers and look up numbers to dial around the world and write the script to call and threaten all of these Jewish facilities around the world.
This guy is no different than the two white dudes (one in SC and the other in NYC) slaughtering black people "just because" or to start a race war. What kind of war was this malcontent in Israel trying to cause around the world?
I assume Sessions will not tolerate the targeting of any community in this country on the basis of race either - in addition to religious beliefs.
8
So, will the ADL kindly reduce its 'anti-semitic' incidence. Maybe create a new category to follow 'semitic hoax threats.'
10
this is the logic of the exception makes the rule, so one "hoax" annuls all other "real" incidents. Still perpetrated by a Jew or not, they are anti semitic incidents if they were purposely done against Jews just because they were Jews.
2
Really? I can not believe it. Why? What is his motive?
what stupid comments!
apparently, he made calls, but he did not vandalize the cemeteries, nor write
anti-semitic tags on public and religious buildings.
hooray! there's one demented jewish guy, and maybe slightly more alt right trump voters who did the other stuff.
all the jews will apologize to trump when he decides that he's unfit for office,
me included.
apparently, he made calls, but he did not vandalize the cemeteries, nor write
anti-semitic tags on public and religious buildings.
hooray! there's one demented jewish guy, and maybe slightly more alt right trump voters who did the other stuff.
all the jews will apologize to trump when he decides that he's unfit for office,
me included.
6
Muslims against Muslims, Christians against Christians seem to be
fair.
But jews against jews seems.........
fair.
But jews against jews seems.........
2
What you don't think it happens just because they're Jews?
It's not "fair" no matter who does it.
It's not "fair" no matter who does it.
"but Jews against Jews seems.............." Please finish that thought if you dare Tony
Oh great! The alt-right and virulently anti-Semitic sites have already been gleeful enough about the last person who was caught doing this being far from one of their own. They've been maintaining all along that the person doing this was himself Jewish. Thanks to this guy, these potentially serious threats are in danger of becoming "the boy who cried 'Wolf.'"
5
Our era has clearly fallen into a deep abyss of thruthlessness, creating a counterfeit world alongside the real one. A counterfeit world whose boundaries and limits are defined by mean-spirited, calculated, well-calibrated polemical lies clearly packaged to masquerade as truth, a tsunami of lies meant to sweep away even the simplest of known facts (lies called "alternative facts", by the likes of Bannon and Kellyanne Conway). It's a descent into Hell we're on, one that we now discover includes native-born Americans paid by Russians to incessantly lie to other native-born Americans expressly to confuse and deceive them into doing Russia's bidding. Observing "Lock her up" Trump, Gen. Flynn, Paul Manafort and others from afar, I can only conclude that the Deadly Sins of avarice and power lust blinds and motivates them into egregious misconduct very close to the line of outright treason to the American Nation and homeland, and over that line in some instances.
So is it at-all surprising that the architect and instigator of an international campaign to sow terror among Jews happens to be a Jewish-American living in Israel too lame and cowardly to even show his face? And is it the least-bit surprising that other American Jews defend his indefensible misconduct by saying "but anti-Semitism still exists"; that inanity passing for justification?
So is it at-all surprising that the architect and instigator of an international campaign to sow terror among Jews happens to be a Jewish-American living in Israel too lame and cowardly to even show his face? And is it the least-bit surprising that other American Jews defend his indefensible misconduct by saying "but anti-Semitism still exists"; that inanity passing for justification?
3
This irresponsible kid has done all Jews a terrible disservice and fed the flames of anti-Semitism.
13
if this was done by a Palestinian, Israeli soldiers would have round up every members of his/her family and then destroy their homes. I am sure this wont happen to an Israeli Jew
22
Well, the next time somebody yells FALSE FLAG about Israel, now we will know what they are talking about.
3
Why is it that whenever a Jewish suspect is busted for engaging in some horrific crime, innocent Jews have to be implicated in the deed as well?? Collective guilt by association is truly despicable. But as usual, the bloggers just can't resist rounding up the usual suspects--AIPAC, Bibi Netanyahu, the endless Israeli/Palestinian quagmire--as somehow being responsible for this person's nefarious actions. Yes, there are Jewish anti-Semites. I've read enough of their comments in the Times over the years.
10
So all those Nazi's that were blamed for this, all those white goy, are just supposed to forget about it? Excuse me, we're sorry, I guess the implications and the pre-judgements were wrong, never mind. What a crock.
10
This kid was not responsible for all the swastikas painted on schools and so on that's been going on since Trump's election. So yes, Nazi white guys are still to blame for some things.
Also just some advice, don't try to defend Nazis.
Also just some advice, don't try to defend Nazis.
12
Immeasurable damage has been done to the American Jewish Experience by this person.
I was certain someone of the Pepe Alt-Right was responsible.
I do offer my apologies, thereby conceding moral ground to a movement I absolutely do not identify with nor support.
I was certain someone of the Pepe Alt-Right was responsible.
I do offer my apologies, thereby conceding moral ground to a movement I absolutely do not identify with nor support.
7
You are not conceding moral ground, you are establishing and reinforcing the moral foundation of respect for truth, fairness, and individual responsibility.
6
Did Netanyahu put him up to it to unify American-Jews and reinforce victimhood status in their heads, not to mention millions more in security funds?
He obviously wasn't disturbed enough to operate sophisticated equipment.
Did ADL and the 141 JCC heads apologize to Trump and his supporters yet?
He obviously wasn't disturbed enough to operate sophisticated equipment.
Did ADL and the 141 JCC heads apologize to Trump and his supporters yet?
27
Regardless of what this idiot (or disturbed) kid did, that doesn't erase the fact that anti-semitism is on the rise in the U.S. and throughout the world.
Trump gets no apology because Trump is largely responsible for the new thrust by the alt-right to be publicly anti-semitic (as well as racist, sexist, Islamophobic and nationalist).
But I am happy to see that there's somewhat less anti-semitism than we thought.
Trump gets no apology because Trump is largely responsible for the new thrust by the alt-right to be publicly anti-semitic (as well as racist, sexist, Islamophobic and nationalist).
But I am happy to see that there's somewhat less anti-semitism than we thought.
2
You can be very disturbed and still operate complicated equipment. You can be very sane and be totally incapable of operating complicated equipement.
"He obviously wasn't disturbed enough to operate sophisticated equipment. "
My thoughts exactly.
My thoughts exactly.
1
Maybe this will encourage the Israelis to ponder whether constantly playing the victim is the best way to deal with their country's problems?
61
This was not an Israeli issue. These threats were against us targets. Israel did not play victim or any other role in this case except to arrest suspect
6
what does this have to do with Israel's situation?
4
The Israelis didn't play the victim here, Ed. They helped catch a criminal, which I appreciate as an American.
6
Now it's just a sick young man?
Newsflash: they're all sick young men.
Newsflash: they're all sick young men.
49
Yes. However, if there is a brain tumor then there really is something different here. That said, behavior is behavior and understanding why it occurs doesn't mean it is any less wrong. Still, if the brain tumor is the cause and there is something that can be done about it, then the punishment for the crime could and should, in my opinion, be different from some of those others.
4
Just a brain tumor and unable to attend school?
Heck he can just buy an AR-15 and make the threats REAL here in the good ole USA! Fly over here my man!
Heck he can just buy an AR-15 and make the threats REAL here in the good ole USA! Fly over here my man!
24
The information that this man has a brain tumor has been provided by his lawyer. Do you just parrot unverified information?
Yeah, because we know that is where the threats really came from, o that's right.
1
Hopefully, the FBI will take a little time out from investigating Trump's ties to the Russian mob to explore this man's associations with the Israeli government. Chances are, he's employed by them as part of their non-stop, Arab-hating propaganda campaign.
27
Chances are that's a deranged, paranoid, and anti-Semitic conspiracy theory you've hatched there. It has no evidence and doesn't make any sense at all.
5
"Chances are..." This is not a statement of fact. It is the type of speech used by a coward who has no facts. You, friend, are not the "voice of America" you claim to be by your sobriquet.
7
Jews were quite literally exiled from every single Arab country after the creation of Israel and you dare say that Israel is running an "Arab-hating propaganda campaign"?
Amazing.
Amazing.
5
Oy!
31
Oy vay!
4
The Israelis could have ignored this if they wanted to. Arresting him looks bad for Israel and Jews in general. I keep hearing people say that Israel only cares about portraying themselves as victims and using anti-Semitism to get sympathy. If that was the case they would have let this guy go and let the crime remained "unsolved". It would have been to their benefit if they were as calculated and unethical as their detractors claim.
152
The arrest was a joint international effort. The Israelis hands were tied. Good try, though.
7
FBI involvement made it impossible for Israel to cover it up.
8
I'm sure there is now way this could have backfired.
Now Jewish leadership and NYT owe an apology to Donald Trump.
38
Trump has never apologized for anything ever. (Courtesy of Roy Cohn.) When he apologizes to Obama for his birther fantasy and all his other lies, then the rest of us can think about it. (Would love to bet on this if anyone is interested as the win would be mine for sure.)
4
The defense is that he has a .... brain tumor! Please !
30
Dear Robert Harvey,
Actually it's not a terrible defense. Brain tumors can often disrupt neurological activity enough to make someone act in a psychotic manner. People do have hallucinations, paranoid fantasies, and berserk violence due to brain tumors. I couldn't say whether this kid's tumor was the actual cause of his actions, but crazy stuff like that does happen.
Actually it's not a terrible defense. Brain tumors can often disrupt neurological activity enough to make someone act in a psychotic manner. People do have hallucinations, paranoid fantasies, and berserk violence due to brain tumors. I couldn't say whether this kid's tumor was the actual cause of his actions, but crazy stuff like that does happen.
2
I am far from conspiracy-minded, but the only two people arrested in connection with a massive wave of antisemitic vandalism and threats are a black man and a Jewish kid from Israel? Seriously?
14
What “massive wave of antisemitic vandalism”? What incidents in NYC this year?
1
A false flag attack designed to give political ammunition to Democrats and anti-Trump activists . . . dangerous times.
11
Was Trump's February " false flag" tweet the result of a leak about the FBI's investigation of the Israeli-American arrested today?
7
Netanyahu and the Israeli right wing have been relentless in their hatred for "Liberal" American Jews. This is really no surprise if you read the daily hatred in the Jerusalem Post and Israel Times, especially the comments section.
22
Neither the 'journalist' nor this Israeli were involved in the vandalism at Jewish cemeteries. This will probably be someone from the Breitbart crowd.
22
Well, I hope so. And not the black guy in St. Louis. After all, you got to be right sooner or later.
1
Except they keep being found to have not.
I guess evidence means nothing if your bias is strong.
I guess evidence means nothing if your bias is strong.
Or not.
1
"We are troubled to learn that the individual ... is reportedly Jewish"
> The danger turned out to be less. How about instead, "We are equally extremely disappointed and relieved ..." ?
"But Jonathan A. Greenblatt, chief executive of the Anti-Defamation League, insisted that the threats should still be considered acts of anti-Semitism"
> Sigh. A recipe for burning through the goodwill of neighborly people who care.
> The danger turned out to be less. How about instead, "We are equally extremely disappointed and relieved ..." ?
"But Jonathan A. Greenblatt, chief executive of the Anti-Defamation League, insisted that the threats should still be considered acts of anti-Semitism"
> Sigh. A recipe for burning through the goodwill of neighborly people who care.
20
I believe you are misquoting. Greenblatt said the threats by the American-Jewish young man should be considered an act of terrorism.
Just a further reminder--in case anyone needed to be reassured--that this remains the best country on earth in which to be of Jewish heritage, culture and/or observance.
Anti-Semitism, by the way, in its factional form, is flourishing in Israel where the ultra-Orthodox resort to violence against each other and against the less- or non-observant.
Anti-Semitism, by the way, in its factional form, is flourishing in Israel where the ultra-Orthodox resort to violence against each other and against the less- or non-observant.
6
Will we now get a front page piece for every whiny article we had to put up with for 2 months? And what teen, he is 19!
5
If churches and/or mosques had been the targets would you still have considered the articles "whiny"?
1
Lots of nonsense among the comments, e.g.:
It's a "bad outcome" that an Israeli-American teen was responsible for some of the bomb threats. No, anyone with a brain should know that no nationality or religion has a monopoly on hatred or derangement. It's *good* that he was caught and stopped before he did more damage.
It's Trump's fault. No, you *might* build a case for Trump's invective-laden and inflammatory ways, and support for and from incendiary alt. right leaders and institutions, priming the pump, as it were, for hate-based talk and action. But you can't pin an individual's actions on Trump, an Israeli-American teen's, no less.
The unitary concept that underlies all the nonsense is that so many commenters are so extremely ideological that they make every news development fit their preconceived notions of how the world works, whatever they may be. Such minds are closed.
It's a "bad outcome" that an Israeli-American teen was responsible for some of the bomb threats. No, anyone with a brain should know that no nationality or religion has a monopoly on hatred or derangement. It's *good* that he was caught and stopped before he did more damage.
It's Trump's fault. No, you *might* build a case for Trump's invective-laden and inflammatory ways, and support for and from incendiary alt. right leaders and institutions, priming the pump, as it were, for hate-based talk and action. But you can't pin an individual's actions on Trump, an Israeli-American teen's, no less.
The unitary concept that underlies all the nonsense is that so many commenters are so extremely ideological that they make every news development fit their preconceived notions of how the world works, whatever they may be. Such minds are closed.
7
Reminds me of when the menorah was desecrated in Carl Schurz Park in New York. The mayor came out, a grand rabbi came out, the whole community came out, everyone was scared and upset, and it turned out to be a spoiled 15 year old who lived in one of the fancy buildings overlooking the East River and did it because he felt "bored".
38
Shades of Leopold and Loeb, if anyone remembers them. Was this covered in the Times?
5
Who desecrates gravestones in cemeteries? Who steals the baby Jesus figurine from creches in front of churches at Christmas time? Bored teenage boys.
The question is; what went on in their upbringing that they thought that was a fun thing to do?
The question is; what went on in their upbringing that they thought that was a fun thing to do?
I'm glad they got this guy. I guess our antisemitism problems are solved now.
4
Yet again, not a Trump deplorable responsible. Oh, the angst that the NYT's must be feeling. Their campaign to create the illusion that Trump supporters are free to dispense their hate has proven to be as phony as their editorial board.
21
This will be interesting. Is it a political effort, a false flag ruse to create sympathy in America for Israel based on allegedly "widespread anti-Semitic attacks" here in the US and across the world? Is it a deeply personal issue, some kind of self-hatred in a profoundly disaffected young man? I'm sure there will many conjectures advanced. I guess we will know more as the investigation unfolds. But however it turns out, it will be very sad (not in Trumpian use of the word) and hurtful for many people.
5
I suppose his brain tumor made him try to grab an officer's gun when arrested. A punk, plain and simple.
18
This medical information has been provided by his own lawyer. So when you repeat it you are simply parroting what his lawyer has said.
Of course. The vast majority of these "hate crimes" are hoaxes.
The NYT and the rest of the liberal media have been fear-mongering some wave of hate related to Trump. Fake News.
The NYT and the rest of the liberal media have been fear-mongering some wave of hate related to Trump. Fake News.
26
the joke persists
it gets stronger
and people get weaker
seduced
drugged
injected with fear and they love it
RBC
it gets stronger
and people get weaker
seduced
drugged
injected with fear and they love it
RBC
Dismissing this young man's actions as merely deranged may be comforting, but it also obscures the fact that he carried out a sophisticated plan with advanced tools, and may have had motives unrelated to his medical status. For example: Using threat, danger, and fear to maintain Jewish victim identity, in order to distract from Israel's oppressive treatment of Palestinians.
33
When blacks and Muslims are caught committing hate crimes against themselves do you come to similar conclusions?
What is your excuse for the black liberal who committed a similar act against Jewish institutions? Was he trying to distract from black American's oppressive treatments of anyone?
What is your excuse for the black liberal who committed a similar act against Jewish institutions? Was he trying to distract from black American's oppressive treatments of anyone?
2
Or maybe he wanted American Jews who are constantly lecturing Israel to feel what it is when you never know when your daily life will be disrupted by a threat.
Living in Ashkelon, he would have had his school cancelled and had to run from his class to a bomb shelter against those "firecrackers" his entire life. Not to mention from his bed or out of a shower to his safe room.
Living in Ashkelon, he would have had his school cancelled and had to run from his class to a bomb shelter against those "firecrackers" his entire life. Not to mention from his bed or out of a shower to his safe room.
2
As I repeatedly told people from the start, history shows that in America these incidents are almost always the work of troubled (or intoxicated) teens.
The hysteria over Trump being the new Hitler needs to end.
Whatever he is or is not, Mr. Trump is not going to turn America into nazi Germany. We are too strong for that.
The hyperbole and fear-mongering helped nobody. Except for some self-interested political fund-raisers.
https://emcphd.wordpress.com
The hysteria over Trump being the new Hitler needs to end.
Whatever he is or is not, Mr. Trump is not going to turn America into nazi Germany. We are too strong for that.
The hyperbole and fear-mongering helped nobody. Except for some self-interested political fund-raisers.
https://emcphd.wordpress.com
20
On the contrary. While the two tyrants have a great deal in common ideologically, Trump is enormously more dangerous than Hitler. Unlike Hitler, Trump has the power to consign the entire planet to irreversible climate catastrophe—which he is actively doing—and unlike Hitler, also has the capacity to extinguish all life on earth in a nuclear war, which his mental instability suggests is a chillingly real possibility.
True, America won't be turned into Nazi Germany, but bannon's trump has allowed racism to be expressed openly without fear of social repercusion.
2
Trump failed to forcefully disavow the anti-Semitic alt right factions who enthusiastically endorsed him.
3
The word "terror" and its variants are conspicuously absent in this article.
16
It was also absent in the article about the black American liberal who committed similar threats to Jewish institutions. It was also absent in the article about a hate crime hoax committed by a Muslim in America. Does that disturb you too?
3
Donald Trump had nothing to do with this deranged young man's actions, and attempts to pin this behavior somehow on Trump or those surrounding him are misplaced. But there is a different issue at work here - why was President Trump so reluctant to simply criticize these acts of anti-Semitism like any of his predecessors would have done in a heartbeat? Why did he berate reporters who asked him questions about it? Why did he apparently suggest to White House visitors that it was some sort of false-flag attempt to make him and his followers look bad? Those are questions which have not been answered to anyone's satisfaction and point to some serious moral failings on the part of the President that are wholly independent of anti-Semitism or these bomb threats.
39
I can't imagine this guy's motive being anything other than to simply get an adrenaline rush.
Execute a fairly simple program, say a few vague threats, and then sit back and feel like a brilliant mastermind when the authorities on the other side of the world scramble (and come off as fools to this teenager).
Toss in the thrill of doing something outrageous with a risk of getting caught and you have everything a bored, maladapted teenager needs to while away his days with...at least until he's caught.
But, like another comment has already said here, it is a bit unusual how quick so many liberal commentators were to point the finger at Trump and his "deplorables" being behind these telephonic threats...
Execute a fairly simple program, say a few vague threats, and then sit back and feel like a brilliant mastermind when the authorities on the other side of the world scramble (and come off as fools to this teenager).
Toss in the thrill of doing something outrageous with a risk of getting caught and you have everything a bored, maladapted teenager needs to while away his days with...at least until he's caught.
But, like another comment has already said here, it is a bit unusual how quick so many liberal commentators were to point the finger at Trump and his "deplorables" being behind these telephonic threats...
4
I am somewhat heartened that this deranged individual was caught in a reasonable amount of time, despite using extremely sophisticated camouflage technologies. That means any potential copy-cats that are not as tech-savvy should be caught more quickly.
5
I would be very interested in knowing this person's motives and the means by which he was traced.
I take a weekly class at a JCC and am grateful to have this suspect in hand.
Note that during the same period Jewish graveyards have been vandalized.
I take a weekly class at a JCC and am grateful to have this suspect in hand.
Note that during the same period Jewish graveyards have been vandalized.
2
Once again Trump got it right. He said these were likely "false flag" incidents, not real anti-semitic attacks. But, of course, he was bullied by Left in to pretending we had an antisemitic problem. I am disappointed that he succumbed (and I am Jewish).
13
Once again? When was the other time Trump was right about anything?
The malicious tactic of this defendant seems disturbingly akin to the malevolent strategy that motivated the setting of the infamous Reichstag fire in February, 1933.
9
Hold, your breath luxembourg, there will be an apology any minute now.
After Trump apologizes to Obama for his multitude of slanders, insults and lies.
After Trump turns over his tax returns.
After Trump drains his swamp, hopefully throwing out his babies with the swamp water.
After Trump grows up and learns to be an mature, reasoning adult.
After Trump apologizes to the American public for being such a fraud and shallow phony.
I hope you don't turn too blue in the process.
After Trump apologizes to Obama for his multitude of slanders, insults and lies.
After Trump turns over his tax returns.
After Trump drains his swamp, hopefully throwing out his babies with the swamp water.
After Trump grows up and learns to be an mature, reasoning adult.
After Trump apologizes to the American public for being such a fraud and shallow phony.
I hope you don't turn too blue in the process.
6
Whatever threats were phoned in by this young man, they in no way account for the desecration of multiple Jewish cemetaries around the country, including one in Philadelphia. This does not account for the malevolence unleashed by the hate-filled, bigoted Trump, whose most fervent supporters include known Neo-Nazis and white supremacist groups. Trump has engaged in repeated anti-Semitic comments, tweets, etc. over many years, including during his campaign. This arrest may wind down one chapter of an uptick in hate and animus, but in no way does this close that odious book. 2:10 PM
24
And what say you, Rebecca, of the Israeli government? The state of Israel? The one where a medic (a medic!) in the IDF gets 18 months in jail for executing a disabled attacker, while 13-year-old Palestinian rock throwers get a mandatory four years? Any problems with that? Doesn't sound supremacist to you?
Rebecca? Where you going? We were going to have espresso.
Rebecca? Where you going? We were going to have espresso.
2
Actually, abie: I have previously repeatedly advocated for termination of US financial support for Israel. I am opposed to supporting what has become a hard right wing extremist and aggressive Israeli government, in thrall to fanatic Jews. They are just as dangerous as fanatics in all religions, pal.
4
Hear, hear.
The bomb threats are only a part of it. Swastikas, overturned gravestones, "Jew" and such written on signs and sides of buildings, these are quite prevalent phenomena if one reads more localized reporting. Such assaults rarely receive national attention. Is Trump responsible for all of these outrages? Of course not. But surely he's helped create an atmosphere where the deviants and vilifiers feel greater license to identify people to blame for their own poisoned souls.
8
No, you are creating it with your relentless attachment to identity politics...and don't call me surely.
This is a shocker. We have all been very worried about the escalation of hate crimes and hate speech in the US since Trump's election, but no one ever thought it could be a Jewish teenager making a lot of the threats against synagogues.
We will wait to see what the investigation brings; if the boy's actions were simply a function of a brain tumor, or if they were a part of a larger plot to terrify the JHewish population in cities around the globe.
We will wait to see what the investigation brings; if the boy's actions were simply a function of a brain tumor, or if they were a part of a larger plot to terrify the JHewish population in cities around the globe.
2
Cheers to the investigative bodies who turned up this idiot. I wonder what he was trying to achieve.
4
The two culprits apprehended so far provide zero support for the idea that anti-Semitism in the U.S. is serious and increasing. In fact, although these threats needed to be taken seriously, anyone in the U.S. knows this is not widespread or anything to worry about. i don't see any anti-Semitism here. Europe may be a different story entirely.
12
"The two culprits apprehended so far provide zero support for the idea that anti-Semitism in the U.S. is serious and increasing." Michael Lindsay, antisemitism in the U.S. has been serious for a very long time. The FBI 2015 Hate Crime statistics show that 51.3% of religious hate crimes were anti-Jewish, followed by 22.2% anti-Muslim. Yet strangely, this is rarely reported in the press. https://ucr.fbi.gov/hate-crime/2015/topic-pages/incidentsandoffenses_final
2
This guy was not responsible for overturning Jewish headstones, painting swastikas on buildings, distributing anti-semitic pamphlets and literature on college campuses, so, your "theory" that anti-semitism is not on the rise is absolute baloney.
Such a telling and sad commentary on what's become of us that nearly every tragic event is pounced on as (hopefully!) evidence for either a Muslim or a White Christian terrorist act. That so many of us are actually disappointed when that simple script isn't the case. We don't need acts of hatred any longer...our whole way of thinking has become such.
10
Tor, The US government's special design for overthrowing other governments. A fake voice generator, either a program or a cheap mall order device. And using an anonymous browser. Yah, really advanced (sarcasm). I bet there are ways to piece together the skins Of Tor. NSA packets sniffers, for a start.
Any government agency worth its salt would have an encyclopedia of all voice generators to identify the one used.
Any government agency worth its salt would have an encyclopedia of all voice generators to identify the one used.
2
For conservatives looking for an apology, two points:
Followers of the newly-anointed White House mouthpiece, Breitbart, exhort Jews in writing - on the Breitbart website - to go die in the gas chambers and ovens, and
Trump froze for weeks on the topic - unable to condemn the threat - because he didn't know whether it was one of his Neo-Nazi fans.
What most of us learned as small children about bad behavior - if you behave badly a lot, you're not allowed to get mad when someone accuses you the time you didn't actually do it!
Followers of the newly-anointed White House mouthpiece, Breitbart, exhort Jews in writing - on the Breitbart website - to go die in the gas chambers and ovens, and
Trump froze for weeks on the topic - unable to condemn the threat - because he didn't know whether it was one of his Neo-Nazi fans.
What most of us learned as small children about bad behavior - if you behave badly a lot, you're not allowed to get mad when someone accuses you the time you didn't actually do it!
55
Do you have a single example of a hate crime that turned out to NOT be a hoax, since the election of Trump?
Reading your last paragraph, does that extend to Muslims who complain we all jump to conclusions about incidents like the attack in the UK yesterday and the one in Belgium today? Does that include when you hear about a mugging on your block you assume the perp is a black male because 95% of these crimes in your neighborhood has been for the 25 years you've lived there?
Please supply some links/evidence that "Breitbart" "... in writing.....exhorts... Jews to go die in the gas chambers and ovens..."
Also, please provide some objective proof that you are as an accomplished mind-reader as you claim to be.... looking for metrics, not "puffery"!
Also, please provide some objective proof that you are as an accomplished mind-reader as you claim to be.... looking for metrics, not "puffery"!
3
Hate to say it, but there are lots of disappointed people here hoping he was a Trump supporter/white nationalist who proudly wore a Make America Great cap around the town.
28
We all know that Trump could not possibly be responsible for all the wrongs of the day. But be rest assured that there is enough to get him impeached and soon to be booted out of office. Just wait and watch.
2
Joseph From Albany
I'm afraid your comment says more about you than anyone you are fabricating.
I would say there are lots of people relieved that the culprit has been found.
This is hardly a moment to revel in and your cynicism only feeds the worst aspect of it.
I'm afraid your comment says more about you than anyone you are fabricating.
I would say there are lots of people relieved that the culprit has been found.
This is hardly a moment to revel in and your cynicism only feeds the worst aspect of it.
7
Joseph: How do you know he was not a Trump supporter? In the US, most Jews did not support Trump. In Israel, it's a different story. It could be a right-wing Jew attacking left-wing Jews. We'll have to wait and see; hatred could indeed be involved.
8
Congratulations to the various law enforcement agencies for tracking down the accused criminal. This could not have been easy to do.
Hopefully this will curtail any copy cat efforts to attempt the same behavior.
Hopefully this will curtail any copy cat efforts to attempt the same behavior.
10
As with Juan Thompson, Trump's rhetoric no doubt encouraged this young man's behavior.
5
> Israeli Jewish man makes bomb threats
> Trump still responsible
> MFW nobody can accept blame for their actions anymore
> Trump still responsible
> MFW nobody can accept blame for their actions anymore
8
How do you figure that Trump's rhetoric caused a Jew to threaten Jews?
12
So much for blaming President Trump for all the "hatred" he was supposed to be generating...
28
Trump is generating a lot of hatred. Just because he didn't generate this specific hatred doesn't mean he isn't doing anything to drum up hatred. Half of all his campaign speeches were intentionally getting people to hate Mexicans, Muslims, the Media, and anything else he could think of starting with M.
4
Trump does generate a lot of hatred, this one idiotic kid is not the mastermind behind every act of bigotry in America today. So this doesn't add to the problem of Trump's hatemongering, but it doesn't negate it either.
1
The fact that one source of anti-Semitic intimidation turns out to be a disturbed Israeli-Jewish teen doesn't mean that the current political atmosphere among certain extreme fringe groups, both in the United States and in Europe, has not become darkly threatening--against Jews, Moslems, refugees, sexual minorities, and other such vulnerable groups. This, after all, is the reverse side of "identity nationalism," as pressed by the alt-Right, including individuals like Steve Bannon and Richard Spencer, and their ilk.
It's much like the bombing of the Murrah federal building in Oklahoma in 1995. Just because the bombers turned out to be right-wing "patriot" and "white identity" types didn't mean that the immediate knee-jerk assumption that the culprits had to be Middle Eastern terrorists, not native born "militia" men, was totally nonsense. It was in the immediate circumstances simply wrong.
Extremism has a number of sources, including disturbed, misled, and pathological individuals, but it finds justification and flourishes most in an atmosphere of fear, violence, conspiracy, and xenophobia. We are now undergoing such a period in our national history.
It's much like the bombing of the Murrah federal building in Oklahoma in 1995. Just because the bombers turned out to be right-wing "patriot" and "white identity" types didn't mean that the immediate knee-jerk assumption that the culprits had to be Middle Eastern terrorists, not native born "militia" men, was totally nonsense. It was in the immediate circumstances simply wrong.
Extremism has a number of sources, including disturbed, misled, and pathological individuals, but it finds justification and flourishes most in an atmosphere of fear, violence, conspiracy, and xenophobia. We are now undergoing such a period in our national history.
71
Mustn't forget "copycat actions" in crimes like these.
3
The article states: -- the suspect had not been drafted for compulsory military service, like most Jewish 18-year-olds, because the military found him unfit to serve. -- I wonder what was the basis of their concerns? His alleged actions suggest that the military was correct.
1
My guess is that they found him to be deeply disturbed and not the type of person that one hands a weapon to.
It is likely that the court will come to the same conclusion.
It is likely that the court will come to the same conclusion.
3
Dr. J... "Dumb" enough to go undiscovered for quite awhile using high-tech devices to disguise his voice and his whereabouts. The kid should work for Israeli Intelligence.
3
They seem to have come up with that information pretty darn quickly, so, like most information in stories like this so close after the fact -- I'm guessing it's wrong.
2
If he were in America we'd ignore the brain tumor aspect of it and just toss him in prison to rot.
This doesn't cancel the fact that hateful kinds of speech and crimes are on the rise in America since Trump's election. I do not feel any safer now than I did before this person was caught. I do hope that the Israelis are able to treat him for the problem. I wish that our politicians from both parties along with the current occupant of the White House would make it very clear that just because a person has an accent, looks different, isn't Christian, isn't heterosexual, or whatever the criteria is to hurt them, doesn't mean they aren't an American.
This doesn't cancel the fact that hateful kinds of speech and crimes are on the rise in America since Trump's election. I do not feel any safer now than I did before this person was caught. I do hope that the Israelis are able to treat him for the problem. I wish that our politicians from both parties along with the current occupant of the White House would make it very clear that just because a person has an accent, looks different, isn't Christian, isn't heterosexual, or whatever the criteria is to hurt them, doesn't mean they aren't an American.
8
Hello Abie Normal, did you read the article? In case you didn't, here's the relevant sentence.
The 18-year-old suspect, who holds dual Israeli and American citizenship, suffers from a brain tumor that can affect his behavior, his lawyer said
The 18-year-old suspect, who holds dual Israeli and American citizenship, suffers from a brain tumor that can affect his behavior, his lawyer said
3
Well I for one am simply shocked, just shocked by this revelation.
30
I am not.
4
This should teach us that bad actors will seek to advance their aims by raising the general level of fear, because that's when people make bad decisions, whether military or public policy. We must refuse to live in fear, and have the courage to reject the hysteria that both terrorists and demagogues seek to inspire for their nefarious ends.
19
This might have been why police were not more concerned. That it was evident to law enforcement that they were dealing with a single, immature, disturbed person. In a country of three hundred million having one person who acts out isn't unusual. Complaining about it, making it seem like there were several activists, was such a great piece of propaganda theater.
21
For someone immature and disturbed, he certainly carried out a sophisticated plan, with advanced knowledge and tools. I wonder if he had actual motives, and what those might be.
7
Dylan Roof was a single immature disturbed person.
Lone wolf attacks seem to be the new norm, and almost anything today can be weaponized with a little thought.
Law enforcement did not know for sure.
Lone wolf attacks seem to be the new norm, and almost anything today can be weaponized with a little thought.
Law enforcement did not know for sure.
I agree, they are going to blame the tumor when it's clear he is quite sharp & methodical in what he did. Unless he had partners.
How EMBARRASSING that it was a Jew & Israeli no-less. Geeze
How EMBARRASSING that it was a Jew & Israeli no-less. Geeze
5
Not clear if this man was making the calls from Israel or from within the US and then returned to Israel. Also, is there any connection between him and the cemetery desecrations? (Obviously, he'd have to be in US to be physically involved.) Or is that yet another person(s)?
5
INK: It seemed clear to me.
2
There couldn't be any connection between this kid and physical damage to cemeteries in America. Also it was found at one of the cemeteries in NYC that had gravestones knocked over, that they had simply fallen over from natural causes. So there may not have been as many actual attacks on cemeteries as have been reported.
I suspect the graveyard attacks are being done by groups of idle brainless young males who have nothing better to do with their time. Hopefully the police have collected fingerprints from the toppled tombstones. The fingerprints may link the guilty ones to other crimes, if not now, then in the future when they do something stupid again.
2
This is one crazy world we're living in. We are sick, all of us. maybe it's the air we breathe or the too many chemicals in our food.
7
It's a combination of many things including the air, water, & fake food.
I don't want my comment to get banned, so I won't write a lot, but there are forces that are poisoning us on purpose.
They are also brainwashing the masses.
I've been researching the topic for a month or two now & I will continue to do so.
It's NOT a coincidence that today most people are sick, unhappy, families are split apart, more people have anxiety, depression, are stressed, etc.
I don't want my comment to get banned, so I won't write a lot, but there are forces that are poisoning us on purpose.
They are also brainwashing the masses.
I've been researching the topic for a month or two now & I will continue to do so.
It's NOT a coincidence that today most people are sick, unhappy, families are split apart, more people have anxiety, depression, are stressed, etc.
3
The authorities did not immediately identify the teenager, who they said was Jewish and in his late teens.
Well, so much for blaming Trump for all of these anti-Semitic threats since he became President. Of course, this will still get spun as being Trump's fault.
Well, so much for blaming Trump for all of these anti-Semitic threats since he became President. Of course, this will still get spun as being Trump's fault.
As an American Jew, it's heart-breaking to think that someone from within Judaism would be so damaged inside as to visit terror on small children and others who are merely seeking solace in a Jewish temple or community center. This is not a time to apologize to those who felt criticized when it was correctly pointed out that recent political events have shaken loose a dark underbelly of prejudice. Antisemitism is neither the beginning nor end of prejudice we American Jews stand up against; we are united, for example, in opposing anti-Islamic prejudice. And evidence that some antisemitism came from within Judaism itself is no proof that it has not surged worldwide, including in the U.S. Apologies are due to every child whom we as a people failed to protect against blind hate, no matter the source. If we don't oppose it, we are part of it. So, don't ask me to apologize to you unless you will join hands with me in speaking out against all blind hatred and join with me in apologizing to those who have truly been hurt.
If he was a Muslim extremist or Christian extremist, we would call for charges of terrorism and hate crimes.
This should be no different.
Thanks for nothing, kid.
This should be no different.
Thanks for nothing, kid.
More fake news? We know it was really Trump supporters. We've been reading it for weeks.
We have a lot to learn from Israeli surveillance and police tactics. ( separate from their border forces )
They deal a lot in psychology and tendencies. If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and talks like a duck, then it is obviously a terrorist.
Good they got their duck.
They deal a lot in psychology and tendencies. If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and talks like a duck, then it is obviously a terrorist.
Good they got their duck.
12
I don't want to seem cavalier, but I fail to understand why a "bomb threat" requires a venue, from a school to a stadium, to be emptied. When the IRA issued a warning, they meant it to save hurting people. When they actually went after Thatcher and Lord Mountbatten, there was no warning. ISIS wants to kill as many people as possible. They don't send a warning. They don't want people to know in advance.
16
"I don't want to seem cavalier, but I fail to understand why a "bomb threat" requires a venue,"
Right, and if the venue isn't emptied and a bomb goes off, then you'll be writing about how heartless the owners of the business were in not wanting to lose a day's trade.
Actually some bombers do go after property damage. One such attack went wrong years ago at the University of Wisconsin Math Research Building.
Right, and if the venue isn't emptied and a bomb goes off, then you'll be writing about how heartless the owners of the business were in not wanting to lose a day's trade.
Actually some bombers do go after property damage. One such attack went wrong years ago at the University of Wisconsin Math Research Building.
2
jp,
No I won't say anybody was heartless. How dare you put words in my mouth and then attack me for it. So I take it that if someone phones in a bomb threat to the Super Bowl, it is necessary to vacate the stadium?
P.S. The Atlanta Olympics bomber didn't issue a warning that I'm aware of.
No I won't say anybody was heartless. How dare you put words in my mouth and then attack me for it. So I take it that if someone phones in a bomb threat to the Super Bowl, it is necessary to vacate the stadium?
P.S. The Atlanta Olympics bomber didn't issue a warning that I'm aware of.
The benefit from acts of terrorism like these are due to our [false] perception that terrorism is almost always linked to muslims. So the plan is simple: let's cause havoc and make us look like the victims, the muslim will be blamed and, best part, that would justify perpetuating violence against them as defence and obtaining more privilege/allowances in return! Palestine lands and Palestianian people have been violated for decades through the same mechanism by Isreali people: oppression, apartheid and injustice lead to rock throwing, which warrants a full military attack, bombing and destruction of civilians and children. This guy simply hoped to start the same hatred cycle and division over here instead!
20
It never occurred to me to think this was a Muslim perpetrator. My fear was white supremacists. I'd be very careful about attributing such motivations or assuming that anyone had made that assumption.
2
Si83, It is less relevant that he was a "terrorist" as you call him, than the fact that he is mentally disturbed. The only "proof" for this that we have so far is that he was rejected for service with the Israeli Defense Force. Nut-jobs are found among all societies and nationalities. Before we know anything about him, perhaps it is premature to blame him for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
3
If he wanted to have Muslims blamed for it he could have indicated he was Muslim in the calls. Since the media has up to this point blamed Trump and the alt-right you taking this into a diatribe on the victimization of Muslims and Palestinians is a bit rich.
The last person arrested for an anti-Jewish threat was a black American liberal. How does that fit into your narrative?
More than a few hate crimes against blacks and Muslims have turned out to be hoaxes or actually committed by people of that group. How does that fit into your narrative?
The last person arrested for an anti-Jewish threat was a black American liberal. How does that fit into your narrative?
More than a few hate crimes against blacks and Muslims have turned out to be hoaxes or actually committed by people of that group. How does that fit into your narrative?
8
Interesting that the culprit is actually Jewish, I don't think anyone predicted that. Glad to hear that there were no actual bombs, nobody was actually at risk. This was a stupid kid pulling a stupid, hateful stunt, but that's all it was. I hope he gets punished (assuming he gets found guilty, which seems likely) but I believe what he needs is psychological treatment.
I'm curious as to whether this kid made all the bomb threats aside from those made by the guy in St. Louis, or if there are other suspects that still need to be found. Either way it is comforting that, apparently, all of the bomb threats so far have been fake.
I'm curious as to whether this kid made all the bomb threats aside from those made by the guy in St. Louis, or if there are other suspects that still need to be found. Either way it is comforting that, apparently, all of the bomb threats so far have been fake.
7
Actually, I predicted this.
There were many prior, "false-flag" attacks on synagogues and Jewish cemeteries, in the US, Canada and France, which made front page news. When the perpetrators were found to be Jewish, that part got far less attention.
My wager is 5 to 4 that the terrible Cemetery desecration in Philadelphia, which impacted someone close to me personally, was carried out by by a misguided group of young Jewish men.
The only certainties are that no good comes of this sort of thing and that decent people are harmed.
There were many prior, "false-flag" attacks on synagogues and Jewish cemeteries, in the US, Canada and France, which made front page news. When the perpetrators were found to be Jewish, that part got far less attention.
My wager is 5 to 4 that the terrible Cemetery desecration in Philadelphia, which impacted someone close to me personally, was carried out by by a misguided group of young Jewish men.
The only certainties are that no good comes of this sort of thing and that decent people are harmed.
14
" I don't think anyone predicted that...."
Most non-Jews knew it. There is a long track record of it. He not only did all the bomb threats, but he apparently caused more than one Delta flight to be grounded.
And did you say 'Kid'? He is 19, a terrorist, not a kid.
Most non-Jews knew it. There is a long track record of it. He not only did all the bomb threats, but he apparently caused more than one Delta flight to be grounded.
And did you say 'Kid'? He is 19, a terrorist, not a kid.
10
Dear Daniel Hoffman,
I don't think there were any false flag attacks on synagogues by Jewish people, and I defy you to prove that. I'm sure you won't be able to, and you probably won't even respond.
WestSider, someone phoning in bomb threats, with no casualties, and no political goals, is not a terrorist. Relax.
I don't think there were any false flag attacks on synagogues by Jewish people, and I defy you to prove that. I'm sure you won't be able to, and you probably won't even respond.
WestSider, someone phoning in bomb threats, with no casualties, and no political goals, is not a terrorist. Relax.
4
Wow, a neo-nazi, alt right Jewish teenager with problems created a lot of anger and fear and endless commentary about conservative extremists.
And to add to the aggravation, Mr. Trump actually tweeted a generally accurate assessment of what was happening.
I am relieved that the problem is a sole teenager. I think we all are taking note of the fact that the internet and readily available technology can allow one person to cause a lot of havoc with just a computer. Perhaps we should be more cautious in the future about trading accusations about the source of this type of malicious conduct until we actually learn the facts.
And to add to the aggravation, Mr. Trump actually tweeted a generally accurate assessment of what was happening.
I am relieved that the problem is a sole teenager. I think we all are taking note of the fact that the internet and readily available technology can allow one person to cause a lot of havoc with just a computer. Perhaps we should be more cautious in the future about trading accusations about the source of this type of malicious conduct until we actually learn the facts.
14
@Jack: Where in the article did it mention neo-nazi or alt right? The suspect's lawyer said he has a brain tumor and some resulting cognitive impairment. OTOH, he was using 'advanced camouflage technologies' to hide his calls so he doesn't sound that impaired. In any case it doesn't excuse what he's done, but don't create a fake set of facts. Or list your sources for your claims, because they aren't in this NYT article.
6
So, the man behind all those antisemitic threat is actually an Israeli Jew? I wonder how that fit in the AIPAC narrative...
82
They will make it fit, trust me
11
What narrative is that? That physical/mental illness occurs in Israel too? That Jews are not immune from everything that affects everyone else? That the Israeli authorities quickly publicized the investigation and arrest instead of covering it up? What does any of this have to do with AIPAC?
2
That sort of thing has happened long before Trump has taken office. It happened under Obama. It has happened under every President. It is a terrible thing. Unfortunately, today the most fierce anti semitism comes from the anti Zionist left. Just look on college campuses.
1
Did the suspect also leave the swastikas on sites in Chicago, Houston, and NYC? He gets around.
153
Well actually some of those were proven to be hoaxes too.
Of course the NYT moderators made the above comment a NYT Pick. They have a false narrative to keep pushing. Disgraceful.
Of course the NYT moderators made the above comment a NYT Pick. They have a false narrative to keep pushing. Disgraceful.
12
There are plenty of Jews in Chicago, Houston and NYC who are perfectly capable of doing it.
"A Jewish man has been accused of spray-painting swastikas on his own house after he reported the incident to police as a hate crime.
Andrew King claimed he found two swastikas on his home in Schenectady, New York, last month.
Speaking to local newspaper The Daily Gazette at the time, he said “a vein of fear went right through me” when he saw the graffiti. “All that history attached to that Nazi symbol”."
"A Jewish man has been accused of spray-painting swastikas on his own house after he reported the incident to police as a hate crime.
Andrew King claimed he found two swastikas on his home in Schenectady, New York, last month.
Speaking to local newspaper The Daily Gazette at the time, he said “a vein of fear went right through me” when he saw the graffiti. “All that history attached to that Nazi symbol”."
7
Well he apparently has dual citizenship.
Interesting twist on the "we're living in Germany in the 1930's" scenario; hopefully blame will soon be deflected in the name of righteous indignation to the true perpetrators-the Russians.
3
The hideous truth is, in Germany in the late 30's, a very small number of Jewish people worked with the Nazis. So maybe this one guy is a parallel case, if he's guilty.
A touching photograph of the self-hating bully-coward cowering under his own shirt of shame, disgrace and ignominy.
Sunlight is the best disinfectant for all species of vermin.
Well done, law enforcement !
Sunlight is the best disinfectant for all species of vermin.
Well done, law enforcement !
198
Sunlight. I sorely wised that Edward Snowden was not praised as a hero and that Wikileaks was not portrayed as our friend. We could have had different outcomes, but who knows?
5
You're right Jack, the NSA is our friend. We should all keep our heads in the sand and understand that.
USA USA USA
USA USA USA
6
Self-hating bully-coward? He was a political scammer and you fell for it.
Absolutely the worst possible outcome of this investigation, validating in part a seemingly bizarre statement from our president.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/02/28/trump-ques...
Once again, terrible events are cast in a cloud of uncertainty due to the acts of a deranged young man.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/02/28/trump-ques...
Once again, terrible events are cast in a cloud of uncertainty due to the acts of a deranged young man.
10
It wasn't bizarre to say you can't make assumptions in such cases. Consider the FBI official quoted by the Times on the 28th of February-"This is unlikely to be little twisted Johnny calling from his parents house".
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What did the Russians know and when did they know it? (Not sarcastic, either.)
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Maybe it's not bizarre at all. It is true, even if you don't like it.
These "hate crimes" are almost always hoaxes.
These "hate crimes" are almost always hoaxes.
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Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by a right wing Israeli extremist. Bibi's cabinet is full of right wing extremists, many of which have a Russian background. It comes as no surprise to me, a Jew who has as direct family members who were victims in the Holocaust, that once again it is the right wing extremists in Israel or Jews in this country who are behind any attempt to disrupt peaceful and productive negotiations and cooperation between Jews and what can be considered traditional"enemies" of Jews worldwide.
The scourge of right wing extremism has not been fully confronted, and we see the glaring example of the Trump administration grow the menace of right wing extremism right here in America. This must be stopped, and as more and more examples, Trump the most apparent, are brought to light will make our targets that much more easy to identify and who to go after.
The scourge of right wing extremism has not been fully confronted, and we see the glaring example of the Trump administration grow the menace of right wing extremism right here in America. This must be stopped, and as more and more examples, Trump the most apparent, are brought to light will make our targets that much more easy to identify and who to go after.
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C'mon Jack. This article never mentioned "right wing extremist", it said the suspect is a disturbed 18 year old with a brain tumor.
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This is always the ruse. A mentally disturbed individual that is used as a deflection. We don't operate in a vacuum. Who would have guessed a year ago what is taking place in our country today?
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What political persuasion is disturbed and possibly deranged?
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Can we blame this on Trump?
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Sure, why not. Trump's campaign of xenophobic hatred surely made acting on such hatred seem more acceptable, even noble.
Only in so far as his constant turmoil of attack speech probably upsets unsound minds.
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No. Trump got this one right. But as they say even a blind squirrel will find an acorn.
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Just a couple of weeks ago, the NYT, most Democrats, and virtually all liberals, were blaming the threats on conservatives in general and Trump specifically. This despite the complete lack of evidence supporting these false claims. One of those making threats was a black male (rather unlikely to be a Republican) who was trying to get back at his girlfriend, and now we find out that the person was a dual citizen located in Israel. Where are Hillary's deplorables in this? And it turns out that the FBI was deeply involved in the investigation leading to the arrest. Last I saw, despite some of Trump's tweets, the FBI was part of his administration.
Will an apology be forthcoming?
Will an apology be forthcoming?
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No apology. This never happened under the Obama Administration, and there has now been a general rise in hate crimes. That's because Trump hasn't bother to repudiate hate groups.
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Yes, luxembourg, the Democratic apology will be simulcast with Donald Trump's apologies for:
1. His Birther Lie
2. His campaign's courtship of Russia, WikiLeaks and the GOP's Salem Witch Trial Congress that corrupted yet another American Presidential Election
3. His slander and defamation of President Obama for the 'wiretap' lie
4. His dismantling of American healthcare
5. His dismantling of the Environmental Protection Agency
6. His dismantling of the Statue of Liberty
7. A thousand other lies he's told to the American people
1. His Birther Lie
2. His campaign's courtship of Russia, WikiLeaks and the GOP's Salem Witch Trial Congress that corrupted yet another American Presidential Election
3. His slander and defamation of President Obama for the 'wiretap' lie
4. His dismantling of American healthcare
5. His dismantling of the Environmental Protection Agency
6. His dismantling of the Statue of Liberty
7. A thousand other lies he's told to the American people
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It is sad to see how biased the NYT's has become in its reporting. Like you said, the person arrested in St. Louis for making threats against Jewish organizations did not fit the white male Trump supporter label so there was little mention of him in this publication. Certainly not an article with a comments section where everyone could vent their hatred towards Trump.
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Good to know Jess Sessions won't tolerate the targeting of any group based on religious affiliation. I feel better now.
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He won't be that nice toward Muslims. While I'm glad about this, Sessions also knows that there are a lot of powerful Jewish people, including Trump's family, so he has to take action on this. Sorry, I don't give this man any moral credence.
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Jeff Sessions had absolutely no hand in this. He can't turn law enforcement on and off at will.
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As Pogo said: "We have met the enemy and he is us."
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"Us" being people who threaten their own - whatever their motives.
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If by 'us', you meant Jews, you are right.
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So, it looks as though the sky ISN'T falling after all. What a remarkable surprise. Nobody saw that coming.
Waiting for the apologies for all the hysteria, finger-pointing, and overreaction.
Waiting for the apologies for all the hysteria, finger-pointing, and overreaction.
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You know what, No. Va., if your grandchildren had been in one of the schools that had to be evacuated or locked down because of these threats (as mine were) you might feel differently. This kind of threat must be taken seriously, even if the kind of people who do it often are seeking a sick thrill rather than actually planning to do physical harm. The emotional harm is done.
Perhaps more to your point, even if it was not (this time) a threat from white nationalist anti-Semites, it was also not an inside job by the Democratic Party or leftwingers...it was apparently a lone, mentally disturbed teenager who was able to put fear into so many lives. It could inspire copycats from the groups originally suspected, which do exist and have done worse things before. It does not vindicate the Tweeter-in-Chief or his motley crew of instigators.
Have a thoughtful day.
Perhaps more to your point, even if it was not (this time) a threat from white nationalist anti-Semites, it was also not an inside job by the Democratic Party or leftwingers...it was apparently a lone, mentally disturbed teenager who was able to put fear into so many lives. It could inspire copycats from the groups originally suspected, which do exist and have done worse things before. It does not vindicate the Tweeter-in-Chief or his motley crew of instigators.
Have a thoughtful day.
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Very sad indeed, but not surprising. I always felt these calls were coming from a single source and sure enough, this is the source. The young man is most likely mentally ill but technically brilliant at the same time. His rejection from military service is telling.
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As much as I am not a fan of Le Grand Orange, he was (mostly)right about these threats being fake.
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Most threats are. If one plants a bomb, one wants to kill people. Phoning in a warning prevents that.
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Let's not tarnish our fond memories of Rusty Staub by giving his nickname to Donald Trump.
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People accused Trump of blaming Jews for the threats but I didn't see it that way. He said that these kinds of threats are often made by people trying to make the right look bad. He was right. "The people" in question are leftists. I can think of several incidents that caused uproars on campus where people put a hood over the head of a statue or wrote "this campus is KKK territory" and it turns out to be leftist students.
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It would be nice if our President would speak up more emphatically about these anti-semitic threats and attacks. We're waiting...
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