FBI investigates after at least two Seattle synagogues receive suspicious packages containing white powder

On Friday night, just before the Jewish Sabbath, two synagogues at Seward Park in Seattle, Washington received suspicious envelopes with a white powdery substance in them, prompting a probe by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies. 

Seattle Fire Department (SFD) Public Information Officer David Cuerpo, told KOMO news that they ran tests on the substance and determined it was not hazardous. "We don’t know what it was, and all our tests came up negative, and it was not determined to be harmful," he said.

"This came in at the request of SPD, where the person originally called 911 when they found the envelope. They wanted SFD to run tests to make sure the substance was not hazardous," Cuerpo added. 

According to King 5, the FBI is assisting in the investigation and said that additional testing is needed to "fully characterize" the substance. "Law enforcement and public safety officials are working to determine how many letters were sent, the individual(s) responsible for the letters, and the motive behind them," the FBI official said. 

One of the synagogue's targets was the Sephardic Bikur Holim Congregation. Jack Gottesman, the vice president of the synagogue's Board of Directors, reacted by saying, "Unfortunately, this isn't a surprise, given the nature of anti-Jewish sentiments and protests and rallies that have taken place globally since the Oct. 7 massacre in southern Israel." 

"This is something that our community has learned to deal with. But we're strong, we're proud, and we're not running away. Our congregation has been here for 110 years, we're not leaving," he said. 

Synagogue leader and editor at The Post Millennial Ari Hoffman echoed those sentiments. "We are not running, we are not hiding, we are here, and we are always going to be here," he said. 

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell said in a statement on X, "This is extremely disturbing." He continued, "I’m grateful that first responders were able to swiftly determine these were non-hazardous materials." 

"There is no doubt that these were sent with the intent to target, harm, and frighten Jewish neighbors. This targeted threat is wrong," he added. 

While investigating the second synagogue, the Seattle Police Department responded to a third call about a suspicious package on 17th Avenue Northwest, near the University of Washington's Center for Jewish Life. There was, however, no powdery substance found in that package.