Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 15 March 2024

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.

FBI Warns Gaza War Will Stoke Domestic Radicalization “For Years To Come;” The FBI is investigating “thousands” of threats related to the Israel-Hamas conflict

The Intercept reports:

IN THE WAKE of Israel’s war on Gaza, the intelligence community and the FBI believe that the threat of Islamic terrorist attack inside the United States has increased to its highest point since 9/11, according to testimony of senior officials. “It’s long been the case that the public and the media are quick to declare one threat over and gone, while they obsess over whatever’s shiny and new,” FBI Director Christopher Wray told cadets at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point earlier this month. Wray said that though many “commentators” claimed that the threat from foreign terrorist organizations was over, “a rogue’s gallery of foreign terrorist organizations [are calling] for attacks against Americans and our allies.”

Though Wray cites Hezbollah, Al Qaeda, and ISIS as making new threats against America, he said that the bureau was actually more focused on “homegrown” terrorists — Americans — as the primary current threat. “Our most immediate concern has been that individuals or small groups will draw twisted inspiration from the events in the Middle East to carry out attacks here at home,” he said at West Point.

Analyst Comments:

While evaluating the threat environment, Faith-Based Organizations (FBO) should consider FBI Director Wray’s warning on the heightened threat from Islamic terrorists and “homegrown” terrorists.

DHS’ Resources and Information for Faith and Community Leaders Regarding the Israel – Hamas Conflict website provides resources for protecting FBOs.

As always, FB-ISAO’s website provides resources in the Resource Library, including information on Securing Facilities and People