Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald and Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt (both D-Camden/Burlington) released the following statement on the bomb threat Monday that forced the evacuation of a Jewish community center in their legislative district and numerous others across the country:
“This morning bomb threats were reported at the Katz JCC here in Cherry Hill and at Jewish community centers in eight states across the nation. These threats were taken seriously, as entire centers were evacuated and police were brought to the scene.
“This incident is not just a threat to the Jewish community of Cherry Hill, but to all of us.
“Jewish people have been targeted for unrelenting persecution throughout history, merely because of the faith they practice. The bomb threats today are no different. New Jersey is one of the most diverse states in the nation and we will not tolerate anti-Semitism and hate in our state.
“While there is no doubt that anti-Semitic sentiments and acts have been gaining ground over the past year, we have taken action to put New Jersey strongly on the record in condemning anti-Semitism.
“We passed legislation condemning all forms of anti-Semitism, and we stand behind this pledge to lead by example. No elected official should allow bigotry, hatred, and fear to fester and thrive through their failure to take action.”