PEARL RIVER, NY -- A 24-year-old Pearl River man has been arrested after making harassing and anti-Semitic telephone calls two synagogues and a Jewish community center, according to local police.
The calls, police said, made direct reference to the on-going conflict in Gaza, where Israel has retaliated with military action after Israel was hit by rocket fire from militants in Gaza. The calls, police said, blamed Israel for the violence in Gaza.
James Schroeter, 24, of Pearl River was arrested at his home on Friday after Clarkstown police detectives were able to trace calls that were made to Temple Beth Torah and Congregation Sons of Israel, both in Upper Nyack, and JCC Rockland in West Nyack.
Police said no threats of violence were made and there does not appear to be any specific reason why calls were made to the two temples and the community center other than their religious affiliation.
Harassing calls started at about 1:15 p.m. on Friday. Police said the calls included a number of anti-Semitic statements as well as anti-Israel statements that also include blaming Israel for the on-going violence in Gaza.
Police said there were no incidents of vandalism or violence connected with the calls.
After his arrest, Schroeter was arraigned in Clarkstown Town Court in New City and he was ordered held in the Rockland County Correctional Facility in New City on $3,000 bail pending a hearing.
