America faces its highest risk of terrorist attacks in years following the October 7 Hamas invasion that left more than 1,200 Israelis dead, the head of the FBI warned on Tuesday.
FBI Director Christopher Wray told the Senate Judiciary Committee that the high threat level had “red lights flashing everywhere” and that the bureau was “working around the clock” to identify possible Hamas-inspired attacks.
“The threat level has gone to another level since October 7,” Wray said. “I’ve never seen a time where all the threats were raised, all at the same time.”
Although the FBI has yet to find any evidence that Hamas “has the intent or the ability to conduct operations inside the US,” Wray warned that supporters or sympathizers of the terrorist group could launch attacks on the group’s behalf.
FBI Director Christopher Wray warned on Tuesday that the US faces its highest risk of terrorist attacks in years. Getty Images
American bases around the Middle East have already come under attack following the outbreak of war, with the Pentagon confirming at least 74 attacks on US bases and troops since Oct. 17.
While Wray said the FBI was working to ensure no attacks took place domestically, he noted that the war had also led to a “disturbing trend” of growing antisemitic and Islamophobic threats in the US.
The Anti-Defamation League recorded at least 321 antisemitic incidents in the US between Oct. and Oct. 23, a nearly 400% increase. New York City alone saw a 214% jump in anti-Jewish offenses in October compared to the previous year.
The FBI is working to identify any possible attacks motivated by the ongoing war in Gaza. AFP via Getty Images Mass deaths in Israel and Gaza have led to a surge in antisemitism and Islamophobia in the US and around the world. Reuters
The increase comes as hate crimes against Jews have increased, with 1,124 cases reported nationwide between 2021 and 2022, the highest ever recorded by the FBI.
Wray previously warned Congress about antisemitism reaching “historic levels” in America amid the war.
“In fact, our statistics will show that for a group that represents only about 2.4% of the American public, they account for about 60% of all religiously based hate crimes,” Wray said.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
