Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 13 October 2023

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. 

13 October, “Day of Rage” Headlines

• Former Hamas Leader Khaled Mashal Calls For ‘Friday Of The Al-Aqsa Flood’: Muslims Should Take To The Streets Worldwide, Join The Battle; The West, America, Zionists Will See Convoys Of Mujahideen On Their Way To Palestine
• Hamas calls for Friday protests in East Jerusalem, West Bank
• Supporters of Palestinians and Israel to protest and pray as war intensifies

Incidents:

• Diplomat at Israel’s embassy in China ‘stabbed’ in Beijing street
• Breaking news. Knife attacker kills teacher, seriously wounds two other people in France school attack
  • French teacher killed by ‘Allahu Akbar’ knifeman while diplomat slashed in China & crowds storm border on ‘Day of Jihad’
• Global Knife Attack Frenzy as Hamas ‘Day of Rage’ Gets Underway

Preparations:

• Israelis abroad urged to take extra care on Friday as Hamas calls for ‘day of rage’
• VFC SHIELD: All Sectors Bulletin – Israel/Hamas War – Impact to Virginia
• Law enforcement steps up patrols of Jewish houses of worship, businesses as calls for attacks in the U.S. intensify online
• US Police Respond to ‘Global Day of Jihad’ Call
• US Prepares for ‘Day of Jihad’ as White House Remains ‘Vigilant’
• Synagogues, police on alert as Hamas calls for ‘Day of Rage,’ Skokie temple evacuated for threat
• NYPD beefing up patrols as Jewish schools worry over Hamas leader called for ‘day of Jihad’
• NYPD preparing for pro-Palestinian demonstrations Friday
• Law enforcement stepping up security in DC-area after former Hamas leader calls for global ‘day of rage’
• Portland Police taking calls for ‘Global Day of Jihad’ seriously
• City of Austin on high alert as war wages on in Israel
• Heightened security at houses of worship in Massachusetts amid war in Israel
• Texas DPS Warns Residents of Possible Attacks Against Jewish Community
• D.C. mayor sending police patrols to synagogues following Hamas attack
• For L.A.’s Jewish security forces, Israel attack was a call to arms
• JEWISH SECURITY ALLIANCE UPDATED COMMUNITY GUIDANCE

Analyst Comments:

State and local government organizations, as well as private faith-based organizations, have consistently stated that while a general threat exists, there is no known specific threat. However, the threat environment remains fluid given the call of a “Day of Rage” and could inspire lone actors to take action. While there is still no specific threat, a heightened level of vigilance is encouraged for all Faith-Based Organizations (FBO) and increased security may be appropriate for higher-risk organizations and individuals.

For additional considerations, please refer to recent FB-ISAO reports and advisories (join here).

Resources for Protecting Houses of Worship

FEMA Provided Resources from Multiple Federal Agencies

The below information is from FEMA’s EMR-ISAC InfoGram Oct. 12. Resources available include:

Allied Against Hate: A Toolkit for Faith Communities. This toolkit describes practical steps faith communities can take to prevent acts of hate, discrimination, and bias, and to demonstrate solidarity with targeted communities if such acts tragically do occur.

On Oct. 10, DHS published a consolidated list of resources and information for faith and community leaders regarding the situation in Israel. DHS highlights its If You See Something, Say Something© Campaign Resources and its recently launched Prevention Resource Finder. Many additional resources can be accessed via the DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at dhs.gov/faith.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides many resources for emergency managers. These include FEMA’s Guide for Developing High-Quality Emergency Operations Plans for Houses of Worship and the U.S. Fire Administration’s resources on Protecting Houses of Worship Against Arson. Additional resources from FEMA are available at fema.gov/faith.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) provides resources that assist houses of worship in securing physical and cyber infrastructure. Earlier this year, CISA published Protecting Places of Worship: Six Steps to Enhance Security against Targeted Violence. and  Protecting Houses of Worship: Perimeter Security Considerations Infographic. CISA’s resources and services are accessible via its Protecting Houses of Worship page. Local law enforcement and physical security professionals may benefit from consulting these resources when conducting outreach or planning with their community’s faith-based organizations.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) developed Safeguarding Houses of Worship, which guides local law enforcement agencies in working with institutions to evaluate security needs and develop security and safety plans. This resource is available to public safety officials upon request.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) provides resources for first responders through its First Responders’ Toolbox series. The First Responder’s Toolbox, Threats Against Houses of Worship Highlight the Importance of Religious Community Outreach.

(Sources: White House, DHS, FEMA, USFA, CISA, DOJ, ODNI)

Analyst Comments:

The above information from the FEMA Infogram provides a good summary of federal government efforts to assist in protecting houses of worship. Most of the resources above have been provided in earlier FB-ISAO Daily Awareness Posts and are available at the Resource Library of the FB-ISAO website.

CISA Virtual Seminar

Post-Incident Scams and Fraud

Thursday, October 19, 2023 (12-pm ET / 9-am PT),

Seminar 8 of the Mass Casualty Impact and Recovery Monthly Series

The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), in partnership with the Oregon Department of Emergency Management and the Idaho Office of Emergency Management, is holding the eighth webinar in the monthly seminar series – Mass Casualty Impact and Recovery – which examines how businesses, organizations, and individuals can better prepare for, respond to, and recover from active shooter and other mass casualty events. Register here.