During a weekend speech in California, FBI Director Chris Wray warned about an increase in the number of threats to the United States tied to Israel's conflict against Hamas terrorists.
According to Fox News, Wray expressed his sympathies to the Israeli people and his fury at the overwhelming cruelty and contempt for innocent lives in Israel during his prepared remarks at the International Association of Chiefs of Police annual convention in San Diego on Saturday, October 14.
FBI Reports Rise in US Threats
Antisemitism and other types of violent extremism have been around for far too long throughout history. Wray went on to say that it is intolerable for anybody to attack a group because of their religion, whether they come from foreign terrorist organizations, are inspired by them, or are homegrown violent extremists driven by their own racial animus.
He added that the federal government will not waver in its resolve to counter these dangers at home and abroad.
There is no denying that the number of recorded threats has gone up in the current circumstances. Wray warned that more vigilance was needed, particularly for lone actors who would draw motivation from recent events to perpetrate acts of violence on their own.
He urged people to remain alert at all times "because as the first line of defense in protecting our communities, you're often the first to see the signs that someone may be mobilizing to violence." He also encouraged individuals to keep passing forth information and insights.
"On our end, we're committed to doing the same, so that together, we can safeguard our communities," Wray added.
This warning followed heightened security and an enhanced police presence in key US cities on Friday, October 13, on concerns of protests linked to the conflict. There was a demand from a former Hamas commander for Muslims everywhere to observe Friday as a "Day of Jihad" in solidarity with the Palestinians and to go to the streets in demonstration.
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Global 'Day of Rage'
Security forces in the US and throughout the globe are beefing up after former Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal called for protests by Palestinians against what they see as Israel's illegitimate occupation.
The media and public at large dubbed this rallying cry a "Day of Rage" or "Day of Jihad."
Meshaal's appeal to go to the streets after Friday prayers has been answered by the citizens of several countries with a majority Muslim population. He urged Arabs to join the jihad by financially backing Hamas. Thousands of Jordanians also demonstrated against Israel.
In France, protesters came to the streets last week despite a prohibition from the interior minister. Local police responded by dispersing them with tear gas and water cannons.
In China, an Israeli embassy employee was assaulted in broad daylight. The unnamed Israeli foreign ministry employee was hospitalized and is stable. A video of the event is circulating on social media.
