The Besser Holocaust Memorial Garden at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta. Contributed by MJCCA Karsten Moran/The New York Times
Photo: Karsten Moran/The New York Times
Photo: Karsten Moran/The New York Times

Dunwoody police say Israeli man likely threatened MJCCA

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A 19-year man arrested by Israeli authorities is most likely the same person who threatened the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, according to the Dunwoody Police Department.

The unnamed man, who holds American-Israeli citizenship, was arrested last week as the main suspect in several bomb threats against Jewish community centers. The MJCAA had received two separate threats in just a few weeks.

"From indications, we believe he is probably going to be the one responsible,” said Sgt. Aaron Belt.

Prosecutors allege a Missouri man made at least eight threats against Jewish community centers.

He said the investigation is still ongoing. He also said there would not be any local charges and that any action would be take at the federal level.

Israeli authorities identified the man as a hacker and said his arrest was the result of a trans-Atlantic investigation with the FBI and other international law enforcement agencies. 

The arrest came after an apparent rise in anti-Semitism across the nation. The Anti-Defamation League office in Atlanta also received a threat. 

It’s unclear if the man arrested was also implicated in that threat.

In addition to numerous threats to Jewish institutions, vandals also toppled and damaged tombstones at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in suburban St. Louis. 

The man’s motives were unclear.

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