Father Of Accused JCC Bomb Threat Teen Apologizes To American Jews
The teen arrested for JCC bomb threats covers his face at a hearing. Image by Reuters
JERUSALEM (JTA) — The father of the Israeli-American teenager arrested on suspicion of calling in more than 100 bomb threats to JCCs and Jewish institutions, apologized for his sons actions.
The father appeared in his first interview in Israel, nearly two weeks after he was arrested along with his son following 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.
“To all the Jews in the United States, I want to convey an unequivocal message: We are very sorry from the bottom of our hearts. We are good Jews, we do not hate you,” the teen’s father said in the interview with Israel’s Channel 2 from his home in Ashkelon in southern Israel where he remains under house arrest, on suspicion that he knew about his son’s activities.
The identity of the suspect, 19, is under a gag order in Israel.
The father denies knowing about what his son was doing, but does not deny that he carried out the threats.
“The world has to understand. This boy in different, he’s unique” said his father.
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