In the wake of the bomb threat and evacuation at Mercer Island’s Stroum Jewish Community Center Monday, many elected officials and community leaders released statements condemning the attack, which one of 31 threats made to 23 JCCs and eight Jewish day schools that day.

“The security of our families, our community, and our staff remains of the utmost importance to us. We have been working with the local police departments, colleagues around the country, and national security agencies to monitor the situation and review our protocols,” SJCC CEO Amy Lavin and Board of Directors President Kim Waldbaum wrote in an email update on Monday evening. “We stand in solidarity and vigilance with the dozens of Jewish community organizations that received threats over the past few weeks.”

Deputy Mayor Debbie Bertlin stated that the city will “continue to welcome all people of all faiths, in recognition that we truly are stronger and smarter together.”

The Mercer Island Clergy Association expressed “its support for and solidarity with our Jewish clergy members, the Jewish community of Mercer Island, and in particular with the Stroum Jewish Community Center, in light of the reprehensible bomb threat received there yesterday,” according to a statement from the group.

“Our diverse faiths have in common the conviction that God is a God of love and justice — and that spiritual and moral might are ultimately greater than any bigotry, hatred, violence, or threats,” according to the association’s statement. “We are united in eschewing all such actions and mentalities — including specifically anti-Semitism. We resolve never to temporize with nor tolerate it. We trust that faith in and attention to God’s goodness and wisdom will overcome fear and ignorance, and empower us all to advance the cause of equity and strengthen our care for our neighbors, including our Jewish brothers and sisters.”

At the March 9 Mercer Island School Board meeting, Superintendent Gary Plano read a statement on the recent threat, noting that the district “condemns this threat of violence in the strongest terms possible” and “stands together with all members of this diverse community and will not tolerate bigotry, hate speech, indiscriminate threats of violence or other ways intended to divide us.”

Several elected officials released also statements condemning the attack and the wave of anti-Semitism in the U.S.

“These types of threats have absolutely no place in our society. This was an act of cowardice and intimidation,” stated Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson. “I urge all Washingtonians to join me in sending a clear message that threats like this will not be tolerated — not in our state, and not in our nation.”

41st district legislators and Island residents Rep. Tana Senn, Rep. Judy Clibborn and Sen. Lisa Wellman released the following statement:

“We strongly condemn the bomb threat levied against our Jewish Community Center on Mercer Island. Forcing toddlers, staff and community members to evacuate in fear their daycare, workplace and gathering spot is unconscionable.

Similar incidents against Jewish institutions have been perpetrated across the country. They are clearly meant to spread fear and division, and they are becoming all too common. We will not sit idly by as hate speech, anti-Semitism and anti-Immigrant sentiment encourage further hate and vile action. We will not allow such despicable acts and hateful rhetoric to become normalized in our society.

An attack on one part of our community is an attack on the whole.

We are working together with law enforcement locally and nationally, and ask everyone to speak out resoundingly against those few who perpetrate such cowardly deeds and spew hatred. Together we will ensure hate has no place in Washington state.”

The Seattle City Council also issued a statement, “horrified by yesterday’s bomb threat against the Stroum Jewish Community Center on Mercer Island and the anti-Semitic and racist graffiti found in Ballard.”

“As leaders of Seattle and neighbors to Mercer Island, we are deeply concerned that members of our community are increasingly becoming the targets of discrimination and hatred,” the council wrote.

Read the rest of the Seattle City Council statement here.

Gov. Jay Inslee stated:

“The despicable nationwide wave of threats and vandalism against our Jewish community hit Washington state with yesterday’s threat against the Mercer Island Stroum Jewish Community Center.

I condemn in the strongest possible terms any act of violence against any community in our state, including the threat of terrorism. It doesn’t matter what faith you practice, where you come from, or who you love – Washington is a hate-free zone.

And whether someone calls in a threat, desecrates cemeteries, or attacks people online, the individuals responsible for these hateful acts are abhorrent and go against everything our state and country stand for.

Last month when Muslim immigrants were blocked from entering Sea-Tac Airport, the very first family to stand in support was a Jewish family with their young children holding signs that said ‘let’s stand together.’

As local and federal authorities investigate last night’s incident, the state of Washington stands ready to support their efforts any way we can.”

Washington Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib issued a statement saying, in part:

“I vehemently condemn any such threat or act of hatred … at this crucial moment in history, I ask members of communities who feel at risk to contact my office. I will work to ensure that all voices are heard and valued, and work to protect individuals who do not feel safe.”

Sen. Maria Cantwell stated:

“I am so sadden and dismayed that this level of violence targeted at the Jewish community would exist in our state and country. These are very serious issues. It is not that long ago that the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle was the target of a horrible deadly hate crime. All of our State must come together to condemn these threats and acts of violence.”

Congressman Adam Smith signed a letter sent to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and FBI Director James Comey on March 1, stating, in part:

“Anti-Semitic attacks occupy the largest percentage of religiously rooted hate crime, and they have been increasing in number over the last several years … A clear message must be sent that hatred and bigotry have no place in America, and they will not be tolerated.”

On the national level, President Donald Trump condemned the attacks at the beginning of his speech Tuesday to a joint session of Congress.

“Recent threats targeting Jewish Community Centers and vandalism of Jewish cemeteries, as well as last week’s shooting in Kansas City, remind us that while we may be a nation divided on policies, we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its forms,” Trump said.

David Posner, director of strategic performance at JCC Association of North America, stated:

“Anti-Semitism of this nature should not and must not be allowed to endure in our communities. The Justice Department, Homeland Security, the FBI, and the White House, alongside Congress and local officials, must speak out – and speak out forcefully – against this scourge of anti-Semitism impacting communities across the country.

Actions speak louder than words. Members of our community must see swift and concerted action from federal officials to identify and capture the perpetrator or perpetrators who are trying to instill anxiety and fear in our communities.

We remain grateful to local law enforcement who continue to serve our communities and ensure that our JCCs and schools remain safe and open for business as the vital community institutions they are.”