Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 7 July 2026

These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters.

Are you Jewish? Your chances of being attacked in the US are rising

Newly released FBI data for the first half of 2026 highlights the continued prevalence of antisemitic hate crimes across the United States. Between January and early July, law enforcement agencies reported 3,750 hate crime incidents involving 4,384 criminal offenses, with Jewish individuals targeted in 15% of all reported hate crime incidents. Of the 978 religion-based hate crime incidents representing approximately one-quarter of all hate crimes nationwide 566 incidents involving 613 criminal offenses targeted Jewish individuals, making anti-Jewish bias by far the most common form of religiously motivated hate crime. The FBI’s data indicates that Jewish individuals were approximately 525% more likely to be victims of a hate crime than would be expected based on their share of the U.S. population. Property damage and vandalism accounted for 55% of antisemitic offenses, followed by intimidation and threats (31%) and simple assaults (8%). Incidents most frequently occurred in public spaces (17%), K–12 schools (16%), private residences (15%), colleges and universities (9%), and synagogues (6%).

While the FBI reported an overall decline in hate crime nationwide compared to the same period in 2025, antisemitic incidents remain disproportionately high. Local reporting further reinforces this trend, with the New York City Police Department documenting 178 anti-Jewish hate crimes during the first half of 2026 more than the 88 incidents reported statewide to the FBI by New York, highlighting potential inconsistencies in reporting and the continued threat facing Jewish communities.

Analyst Comments: The FBI’s national statistics demonstrate that antisemitic threats remain one of the most significant risks facing faith-based organizations in the United States. The concentration of incidents involving vandalism, threats, and assaults particularly at schools, synagogues, and other public spaces underscores the importance of layered security measures, including access controls, surveillance, suspicious activity reporting, and coordination with local law enforcement. Synagogues should consider regularly reviewing emergency response and continuity plans, conduct security awareness training for staff and volunteers, and remain informed of local threat trends. The discrepancy between FBI and local reporting also highlights the importance of monitoring multiple trusted sources to maintain an accurate understanding of the threat landscape.

U.S. Forest Service chief recognizes fallen firefighters, calls wildfire season historic

An intense heat wave, prolonged drought, and below-average snowpack have created dangerous wildfire conditions across much of the western United States, fueling numerous fast-moving fires and straining firefighting resources. In Colorado, multiple large wildfires have forced thousands to evacuate, destroyed homes and infrastructure, and claimed the lives of three firefighters, underscoring the significant risks facing emergency responders during what officials have described as a potentially historic wildfire season. As temperatures remain above normal and dry conditions persist nationally, fire officials continue to warn that wildfire activity is expected to remain elevated throughout the summer, emphasizing the importance of preparedness, early evacuation planning, and public adherence to fire restrictions.

Analyst Comments: The increasing frequency and severity of wildfires in the United States underscore the importance of emergency preparedness for faith-based organizations, particularly those located in wildfire-prone regions. Houses of worship, religious schools, camps, and retreat centers should review evacuation procedures, continuity of operations plans, and communication protocols to ensure they can quickly notify staff, congregants, and visitors during rapidly evolving wildfire-related incidents. Organizations should also consider assessing space around facilities, safeguard critical records and equipment, and coordinate with local emergency management and fire officials. Beyond protecting their own operations, faith-based organizations often serve as shelters, distribution centers, or community support hubs during disasters, making preparedness essential to maintaining their ability to assist affected communities while ensuring the safety of staff, volunteers, and congregants.

Weekly Security Sprint EP 165. Information Operations and All-Hazards Risks

The Gate 15 Security Sprint is a weekly rundown of the week’s notable all-hazards security news, risks and threats and some of the key focus areas for organizations to consider behind the headlines. Gate 15 team members discuss physical security, cybersecurity, natural hazards, health threats and other issues across our environment.

In this week’s Weekly Security Sprint Dave and Andy discuss Info Ops, weather, climate, & environment, and the Gate 1 TARGET Report on Public Health Updates.

Information on other Gate 15 podcasts can be found at Podcasts (gate15.global).