New Jersey man pleads guilty to threatening synagogue attack

A New Jersey man pleaded guilty to sending threats of attack to a synagogue. 

Omar Alkattoul, 19, pleaded guilty at a federal court in Trenton, New Jersey, yesterday to “transmitting a threat in interstate and foreign commerce”.

Mr Alkattoul allegedly shared his manifesto, entitled, “When Swords Collide”, on social media. It is understood that in the document itself, he wrote: “I am the attacker and I would like to introduce myself,” and “the motive of this attack is hatred towards Jews and their heinous acts”. 

The manifesto was reported to the authorities by one of the recipients of the document.

When questioned by the police, the defendant reportedly said that the manifesto was written whilst he was “live action role playing” and “imagining being Al-Qaeda”. 

Mr Alkattoul is due to be sentenced on 14th November, where he faces up to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. 

Campaign Against Antisemitism reports on news and incidents relating to antisemitism throughout the United States.

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