FBI Director Christopher Wray has issued a warning to nationwide security officials regarding potential threats to the US Jewish community as the Passover holiday approaches. Wray expressed concerns about the possibility of lone actors targeting large gatherings, high-profile events, or religious locations for violence, especially with Passover set to begin on Monday evening.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Secure Community Network, a Jewish community nonprofit safety and training organization, Wray highlighted the increased threats to the US Jewish community following a terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel in October.
Wray revealed that the FBI had seen a significant rise in anti-Jewish hate crime investigations since the October attack, with over three times more cases opened between October 7 and January 30 compared to the preceding four months.
An audit by the Anti-Defamation League showed a sharp increase in antisemitic incidents in the US following the Israel-Hamas conflict, with 5,204 incidents reported between October 7 and December 31.
The total number of antisemitic incidents tracked in 2023 by the Anti-Defamation League reached 8,873, marking the highest number of incidents reported since the organization began collecting data in 1979.
Wray also raised concerns about threats from foreign terrorist organizations targeting Jewish communities in the US and Europe. He emphasized the need for vigilance against state-sponsored threats, particularly highlighting the real threat posed by Iran following recent missile and drone attacks on Israel.
As tensions remain high and threats persist, Wray urged security officials and partners to stay vigilant and be prepared for any potential threats that may emerge from Iran or its proxies, both domestically and internationally.
