Following a new wave of threats to Jewish community centers (JCCs) across the United States, the White House on Monday issued a brief statement condemning the threatening phone calls.
“Hatred and hate-motivated violence of any kind have no place in a country founded on the promise of individual freedom. The President has made it abundantly clear that these actions are unacceptable,” White House Deputy Press Secretary Lindsay Walters said in a statement.
Ivanka Trump, who converted to Judaism when she married Jared Kushner, also published a tweet denouncing the threats.
America is a nation built on the principle of religious tolerance. We must protect our houses of worship & religious centers. #JCC
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) February 20, 2017
At least 11 JCCs in the country received bomb threats over the phone on Monday, according to ABC News. All of the centers re-opened on Monday after all of he threats were found to be hoaxes, per ABC News.
Since the beginning of the year, 54 JCCs have seen a total of 69 bomb threats, which came in four waves, the JCC Association of North America told ABC.
Though the White House and Ivanka Trump denounced the threats on Monday, President Donald Trump has yet to address the uptick in threats to JCCs. His silence follows a press conference last week during which he bragged about his election victory when asked about anti-semitism.
“Well, I just want to say that we are very honored by the victory that we had,” Trump said last week when asked about an increase in anti-Semitic incidents since his election.
Asked again a day later, Trump said that suggestions that he has incited anti-Semitic acts “insulting.”
“I am the least anti-Semitic person you’ve ever seen in your entire life,” he said.
The Anti-Defamation League on Monday called on leaders to condemn the threats to JCCs.
“We look to our political leaders at all levels to speak out against such threats directed against Jewish institutions, to make it clear that such actions are unacceptable, and to pledge that they will work with law enforcement officials to ensure that those responsible will be apprehended and punished to the full extent of the law,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, the group’s CEO.
