Friday, October 29, 2010

Chicago Sun Times-Explosive Devices Bound For Chicago Synagogues

Police investigating explosive packages at Newark Liberty International Airport: AP
(Story reported by Mary Wisniewski and Frank Main for the Chicago Sun Times)

President Barack Obama said Friday that initial examination of two packages bound for Chicago from Yemen determined that they apparently contained explosive materials. The packages were apparently bound for Jewish synagogues in the Chicago area.

The president said the American public should be confident in the government's counterterror efforts.

Obama spoke to reporters Friday hours after details of the potentially al-Qaida-linked plot emerged.

According to a CNN report, law enforcement sources said they were acting on a tip in the last 24 hours from an unnamed “ally” that cargo coming from Yemen were headed for Chicago synagogues.

The Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago was alerted about the possible threat by authorities this morning, according to Linda Haase, associate vice president.

“We are taking appropriate precautions, and we are advising local synagogues to do likewise,” Haase said.

“Sadly, this is not the first time the Jewish community has had to deal with a security issue.”

It was not immediately known which institutions may have been targeted. A woman answering the phone at

Anshe Emet synagogue in Lakeview said that the synagogue’s security personnel is handling all packages and working with Chicago Police.

(Click here to read the full story on the Chicago Sun Times website.)

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