The Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg was evacuated Saturday after every member of the state’s legislature received an email threatening anti-Israel bombings in the complex.
“In the name of Palestine, I have hidden highly lethal lead azide devices in and around Pennsylvania State Capitol as well as the Pennsylvania Judicial Center,” the suspect, going by the alias of “glorytoourmartyrs,” wrote. “I plan on triggering one device every few hours until Joe Biden goes on national television and publicly denounces the illegitimate state of Israel. Keep in mind I am inside one of the 2 buildings armed w/ a knife, and plan on remaining here to my dying breath!”
According to a statement from the Pennsylvania Department of General Services, law enforcement immediately evacuated the state capitol and conducted a sweep of the complex. They did not detect any explosives or the presence of the individual who sent the email, which had as its subject line “My manifesto.”
“Following a comprehensive search, Capitol Police, federal, state, and local authorities determined there was no credible threat and the buildings were cleared to reopen,” the department announced.
The identity of the individual who issued the threat is as yet unknown, and it is unclear whether the timing of the message had anything to do with President Joe Biden’s campaign appearance in Harrisburg on Sunday afternoon.
State Representative Ryan Bizzarro (D.), confirming that he received the bomb threat, wrote in a post on X that he is “tired of the foolery and unhinged behavior,” and he wished law enforcement well in their attempt to”find this menace.”
The Pennsylvania State Capitol has been the site of anti-Israel lawbreaking in the past, though not to the level of a bomb threat.
Police arrested approximately 200 anti-Israel activists for trespassing inside the building during a February protest organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, the Philly Palestine Coalition, and the Pennsylvania chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.