©Reuters. File photo: FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies during the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Senate Judiciary Committee Oversight Hearing at the Capitol on December 5, 2023 in Washington, USA.REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo
Written by Doina Chiak
WASHINGTON (REUTERS) – The U.S. government said on Wednesday that faith in the nation faces such a high threat level from terrorism that the FBI director said there were “lights flashing everywhere.” issued security guidelines for communities based on
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) advisory is aimed at protecting against threats amid rising anti-Semitism and Islamophobia since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Gaza and subsequent Israeli military retaliation. .
The move comes as levels of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in the United States have skyrocketed since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, with the Justice Department monitoring the growing threat against Jews and Muslims. said.
The DHS guidelines provide practical steps faith-based groups can take to stay alert to the threat environment and respond with cost-effective protective measures.
Recommendations include creating a security plan, assigning an individual or committee to be responsible for security, completing a risk assessment, coordinating with local communities, and identifying available resources.
FBI Director Christopher Wray told a Senate committee Tuesday that “I’ve never seen a time when so many different threats were all rising at the same time. That’s why this environment we’re in right now. I’m making it,” he said. I feel very anxious. ”
When asked if he saw the red warning lights flashing, Ray said: “I see them flashing everywhere I go.”
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas reinforced this message Wednesday, saying DHS is working with the FBI and other agencies to share information with the private sector and the public, including steps taken to mitigate threats. He said that
Mayorkas and Attorney General Merrick Garland spoke to faith leaders later in the day about how to identify and prevent hate crimes and security threats. Both officials emphasized the importance of community engagement with local leaders and law enforcement in prevention efforts.
“We are meeting today at a time when the fear facing many communities is palpable,” Garland said in his opening remarks.
He cited a spike in threats against Jewish, Muslim, Arab and Palestinian communities since October 7 and said the Justice Department will not tolerate such threats.