Once again, we’re forced to confront the disgusting reality of antisemitism in our country. A Mississippi man, 29-year-old Donavon Parish, has admitted to sending vile threats to synagogues and Jewish businesses. In a court appearance before Judge Cynthia M. Rufe of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Parish pleaded guilty to one count of cyberstalking and five counts of abuse and harassment via a telecommunications device. This news was announced by U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Romero.

The messages Parish sent during April and May 2022 were horrific, including statements like “Heil Hitler,” “all Jews must die,” and “gas the Jews.” He also threatened to place his victims in work camps and stated that Hitler should have finished the job. These repugnant acts were aimed at members of the Jewish community in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania using a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service.

A statement from the DOJ emphasized that Parish’s crimes were religiously motivated, targeting victims based on their actual and perceived religion. He is now awaiting sentencing on September 24th and could face up to 15 years in prison, a three-year supervised release, a $1,500,000 fine, and a $600 special assessment.

The actions of this individual are nothing short of repugnant. U.S. Attorney Romero rightly called out his behavior as abhorrent, emphasizing that her office, along with other law enforcement agencies, will continue to ensure that those who use technology to spread hate and fear are held accountable.

https://twitter.com/TheJusticeDept/status/1803160449975755040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

The FBI’s Special Agent in Charge of the Philadelphia field office, Wayne A. Jacobs, echoed these sentiments, stating that antisemitism has no place in our society. He also underscored the importance of justice for those who threaten members of our communities and pledged that the FBI will work closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to protect all citizens.

Unfortunately, antisemitic incidents in the U.S. have been increasing in recent years. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reported 3,698 such incidents in 2022, more than quadruple the number recorded in 2014. In 2023, there were a staggering 8,873 reported incidents, with 5,204 occurring after a terror attack on Israel by Hamas – a clear example of how global events can directly influence hate crimes.

Source: SilverCircular