South Jersey police help FBI probe of antisemitic, Islamophobic threats
PHILADELPHIA - Two South Jersey police departments took part in an investigation that led to a man's arrest for making antisemitic and Islamophobic threats.
The suspect, 50-year-old Yaniv Gola of Philadelphia, allegedly made phone calls "threatening to injure, rape and kill eight different victims," according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Philadelphia.
It offered no information about the targets of the threats, but said a federal investigation was assisted by police departments in Haddonfield and Cinnaminson.
JFed security welcomed Jewish Federation adds security service as bias incidents soar
Representatives of those departments could not be reached for immediate comment.
Feds: Caller hid his phone number
Gola allegedly used an Internet connection to mask his phone number in calls between Aug. 2, 2022, and Nov. 5, 2023, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a statement.
In the most recent call, the statement alleged, Gola threatened a victim, “You’re Jewish, I’m from Hamas. You’re animals and pigs … If you don’t leave that place, we’re going to blow you up.”
A June 2023 call threatened, "I want to put a bullet in your head ... you f---ing Muslims."
Gola is charged in Philadelphia federal court with eight counts of interstate communication of threats.
The charges are only allegations. He has not been convicted in the case.
The FBI investigation also was assisted by police in the Philadelphia suburbs of Media and Newtown Township.
Jim Walsh is a senior reporter for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@cpsj.com.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Caller masked his phone number when threatening Jews, Muslims
