A Boca Raton man is facing felony charges, accused of posting antisemitic threats to social media.
Twenty-six-year-old Paul Morris is charged with making a written threat of a mass shooting or a terrorist act.
According to the police report, Morris posted things like “I want Hitler come back to kill all the Jews,” “I want to scream “kill all Jews” at anyone I have ever known,” and “I’m shooting up a synagogue.”
“People feel normalized to just come out and spew this hatred,” said Melissa Arden, chief planning officer of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County.
“When you see a threat like this happening in your community, it actually makes you afraid,” said Rabbi Josh Broide of Boca Raton Synagogue.
Broide said the Jewish community in Boca Raton was very aware of the words Morris had posted, saying the news “spread like wildfire.”
In separate interviews, both Broide and Arden expressed horror at not just what Morris posted but the fact he felt comfortable posting them.
“This is just one example of the hate that’s just rising and is now coming into real action,” Arden said.
“I guess, unfortunately, today we live in a world where people feel emboldened and empowered to say things that are hate-filled,” Broide said.
Deputies said Morris told them he was only expressing political opinions and would never have acted on his threats.
Arden and Broide said that it doesn’t matter.
His words are still dangerous.
“Whether it’s hatred against the Jewish community or another minority, it hatred goes unchecked, it is scary,” Arden said.
“Everyone should care,” Broide said. “Unfortunately, hatred that starts in the Jewish community always overflows, and it becomes a problem for everyone.”
Morris remains in the Palm Beach County Jail.
His bond was set at $250,000.
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Source: wpbf
