FBI Director Christopher Wray on Thursday told Jewish leaders that the bureau is on alert for potential threats against Jews before the start of Passover next week.
Speaking during a webinar hosted by the Secure Community Network and sponsored by groups that included the Jewish Federations of North America, Conference of Residents of Dover, and the Anti-Defamation League , Wray said this is "not a time for panic but it is a time for continued vigilance."
Wray added that the FBI also has seen "a marked increase in hoaxes, both bomb and active shooter threats" aimed at religious buildings and groups.Nearly 9,000 incidents of assault, harassment and vandalism — including more than 5,000 since Hamas' Oct. 7 attack and massacre in Israel — were reported across the U.S. last year, the ADL said.
"That's almost two-thirds of all religious hate crimes targeting a group that makes up just 2.4% of the population," he said during the webinar."We've seen, since October 7, a rogue gallery of foreign terrorist organizations call for attacks against the United States and our allies," he said. "Al-Qaida issued its most specific call to attack the U.S. in the past five years.
Wray also reminded the Jewish leaders that Hezbollah has supported Hamas, and Iran's potential for attacks has been highlighted by its recent drone attack on Israel.
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