FBI resolves synagogue threat amid wave of antisemitism

The FBI identifies a threat to New Jersey’s Jewish community; Ukraine and Russia prepare to battle for Kherson.

Tonight's Sentences was written by Jariel Arvin.

FBI identifies unsettling threat to NJ synagogues

Alex Wong/Getty Images

• Friday, the FBI said it identified the person who threatened New Jersey synagogues, and he is no longer dangerous. [NBC / Antonio Planas, Ken Dilanian, and Jonathan Dienst]
• The announcement comes a day after an online post prompted law enforcement to issue a general warning to the state’s Jewish community. [CNN / John Miller, Rob Frehse, and Christina Maxouris]
• Police say the suspect expressed extremist views and bigotry against Jews;  it’s unclear if the man is in custody or if he will face charges. [New York Times / Tracey Tully and Shlomo Schorr]
• Anti-Jewish hatred has surged nationwide. There were 2,717 anti-Semitic incidents in 2021, the highest since the Anti-Defamation League began recording in 1979. [BBC]
• Concerns about violent antisemitism come amid rising concern about political violence and domestic terrorism. [Time / Vera Bergengruen] 

Is Russia setting a trap for Ukraine in Kherson?

• Russia is showing signs of retreat ahead of a significant battle for the southern city of Kherson; however, Ukrainian officials think the Kremlin could be setting a trap. [Wall Street Journal / Matthew Luxmoore]
• Moscow officials recently ordered the evacuation of thousands of civilians from the region. Thursday, the Russian flag stopped flying from one of Kherson’s main buildings. [The Hill / Colin Meyn and Zach Schonfeld] 
• Ukrainian forces are staging a counteroffensive to take back the only major city Russia has captured since its February invasion. [Al Jazeera]
• Officials expect a partial Russian withdrawal, but there are signs that the Kremlin is moving troops to defend its position in Kherson. [BBC]

Elon Musk laid off 50 percent of Twitter’s employees on Friday, prompting a class action lawsuit over a lack of advance notice. [Vox / Shirin Ghaffary]

• Thursday, Oprah endorsed Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (D) in Pennsylvania’s Senate race over his Republican challenger (and frequent Oprah show guest) Dr. Mehmet Oz. [NPR / Ashley Ahn]
• The US added a better-than-expected 261,000 jobs in October as the Federal Reserve hikes interest rates to cool the labor market and inflation. [Yahoo / Alexandra Semenova]
• South Korea scrambled dozens of fighter jets on Friday after detecting 180 North Korean warplanes in four hours. [CNN / Yoonjung Seo and Heather Chen]

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“While this specific threat may be mitigated, we know this remains a tense time for our Jewish communities who are facing a wave of anti-Semitic activity.”

[New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) on recent threats / NBC News]

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