Israel Police cyber unit cracks US bomb threat case; suspect arrested
It was revealed on Thursday afternoon that the Israel Police had arrested a 19-year-old Israeli who is suspected of sending fake bomb threats to Jewish community centers and schools in the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Europe using advanced technology to conceal his identity. He is also suspected of making similar threats to institutions in Israel during the past two-and-a-half years. He was arrested with his father.
The 19-year-old, whose name has not been released, has been identified as a dual citizen of the US and Israel who lives in Ashkelon and has a criminal record. It is possible that Israel will consider extraditing him if such a request is made by the US authorities.
The police's cyber unit cracked the case in cooperation with FBI investigators and Interpol officers who spent the last few weeks in Israel. The young man, a left-wing extremist, is suspected of plotting to cause panic as well as stopping all activities at those institutions, inflicting financial losses, and even halting flights and forcing emergency landings. A search of the suspect's home was said to have found technological means that helped him make the threats without betraying their source, but will now be used against him in court. The motive for making the threats remains unclear. The suspect was remanded into custody for another week by a district court in Rishon Letzion.