Israeli Teen Suspected Of JCC Bomb Threats Ordered Held In Jail
The teen arrested for JCC bomb threats covers his face at a hearing. Image by Reuters
JERUSALEM (JTA) — An Israeli court ordered the Israeli-American teen arrested on suspicion of calling in more than 100 bomb threats to JCCs and Jewish institutions held in custody for another week.
The suspect, 19, appeared Wednesday in Rishon Letzion Magistrate’s Court. His father, who had been detained on suspicion that he knew about his son’s activities, was released to house arrest with restrictions.
The teen, whose name is under a gag order in Israel, was arrested on March 23 at his home in Ashkelon, after a months-long undercover investigation by Israel’s anti-fraud unit, as well as the FBI in the United States and law enforcement in other countries.
He also is accused of a series of threats made in Israel, Europe, Australia and New Zealand in the past six months and of making a threatening call to Delta Airlines, leading to the emergency landing of at least one plane.
The teen reportedly used advanced technology and voice-altering equipment to call in the threats to more than 100 JCCs, Jewish day schools and other Jewish institutions in the United States.
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