Sydney Jewish Museum bomb scare
Sydney’s Jewish Museum was evacuated today following a threat of a bomb scare.All staff at the neighbouring building housing the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, JCA, Zionist Council of NSW and UIA were also evacuated before the authorities gave the all clear two and a half hours later.
The NSWJBD cancelled their monthly plenum following a decision to allow the staff to go home early.
The museum announced the launch of its new Holocaust exhibition last week.
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Vic Alhadeff commented: “A police operation was put into place at the Sydney Jewish Museum on Tuesday following a threat to the facility. The building was evacuated by police as a precaution while the area was searched. The NSW Police secured the area, the all-clear was subsequently given and we were assured there was no risk to the facility or the community. We wish to express our gratitude to the NSW Police for their swift response.”
A spokesperson for the Sydney Jewish Museum added: “At approximately 1:00pm yesterday, visitors, volunteers and staff were evacuated from the Sydney Jewish Museum following a hoax bomb threat.
The Museum’s internal security team were immediately informed and thereafter worked closely with police to secure the premise and assess threats to the building.
Staff, visitors and volunteers were then evacuated to a secure location allowing Police and security teams to search the building. After a thorough investigation, they found no evidence of any explosives.”
Museum CEO Norman Seligman added: “The Museum has always considered safety to be of prime importance. We have absolute confidence that the Museum is a secure site and in the efficiency of procedures and policies. Our highly trained security guards are experts in assessing and monitoring the security of Museum inhabitants at all times.”
The museum thanked the NSW Police and Community Security Group (CSG) for their timely response and all concerned for their cooperation.
