Israeli consulate in NY closes after threat against PM

GAZA CITY - 16 September 2017: Israel's mission to New York was reportedly sealed shut on Friday night after a package containing white powder and a letter threatening Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was received, The Jerusalem Post reported.

The Israeli Consulate was closed off due to the suspicious nature of the powder in the package, and the staff has been ordered to remain inside while the material is being inspected, a source in the consulate building confirmed.

The building has been on lockdown for the past hour, and no one is allowed to enter or leave the premises.

New York State Department Police have been called to the scene after the contents of the package were discovered and screened in the consulate's screening room.

The Post has also learned that the threatening letter in question was written in English and addressed directly to the premier.