A man standing in front of a Jewish Community Center and “making horrific threats against Jews” while holding what looked like a gun has been arrested, according to police.

This recent incident outside the Springfield Jewish Community Center comes amid a reported spike in antisemitic acts across the region following the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

Police on Sunday were alerted to a threatening video on social media. The video reportedly showed a man making hateful statements against the Jewish community, as he stood in front of the JCC sign.

The man was holding what appeared to be a firearm, while making threats and spitting on the JCC sign.

Longmeadow Police officers were able to identify the man as Saifaldeen Fawzi, of West Springfield. Fawzi was arrested without incident on Monday.

“On Sunday, a video was posted on social media reportedly depicting an individual in front of the Jewish Community Center in Springfield, making horrific threats against Jews, spitting on the JCC sign, and holding what appeared to be a gun,” the Anti-Defamation League’s New England chapter posted.

“This was done at a time when acts of antisemitism, including violence, are at a record-breaking high across the country, including here in Massachusetts which recorded the fifth-highest number of antisemitic incidents per state in the United States in 2023,” ADL New England added.

The ADL recorded a total of 623 antisemitic incidents of assault, harassment, and vandalism in the New England region (covering Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine and Vermont) last year. That was a 205% surge from 2022, and the highest number of antisemitic incidents ever recorded in the region.

With this recent incident, the apparent gun that was recovered at the time of Fawzi’s arrest was identified as a “blank gun” and not a real firearm.

“The LPD always takes a proactive approach in working with all of our religious communities to ensure their safety and protection,” Longmeadow Police Chief Robert Stocks said in a statement.

“Swift and immediate action will be taken to identify and hold accountable anyone threatening our community with hateful actions,” the police chief added. “I would like to commend my officers for their hard work in quickly bringing this individual to justice and we would like to thank D.A. Gulluni’s Office for their ongoing assistance with this case.”

Fawzi was held on $25,000 bail prior to being arraigned in Springfield District Court on Tuesday.

Fawzi was charged with threat of destruction to a place of worship/community center, disorderly conduct, threat concerning the location of a dangerous item, and threat to commit a crime.