Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 18 April 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 investigations of anti-Jewish hate crimes tripled after Oct. 7, director says

From the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reports:

The number of FBI investigations into anti-Jewish hate crimes tripled in the months after Oct. 7, FBI director Christopher Wray told Jewish leaders on a call Wednesday.

Wray also warned that, amid the Israel-Iran conflict, Iranian proxies could attack targets on American soil.

“For just a few days after the Oct. 7 attack, we’d already seen a rapid uptick in threats to Jewish people in the United States,” Wray said a call with Jewish community security officials and lay leaders.

“We are not aware at this time of any direct known threat to the Jewish community or any of our institutions domestically,” he said.

Wray added the Iranian threat to others potentially targeting U.S. Jews, including “lone wolves,” violent individuals motivated by hate speech doctrines, and specific threats by foreign terrorist groups, including ISIS and Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. He said the FBI is “increasingly concerned” about terror attacks following the recent attack by a branch of ISIS on a Russian concert hall.

He warned communities not to engage with protesters. “The best way to avoid a confrontation is not to enter one,” he said.

Analyst Comments:

Director Wray’s comments can help Faith-Based Organizations (FBO) evaluate the current threat environment and can possibly effect their security efforts.

The DHS Resources and Information for Faith and Community Leaders Regarding the Israel – Hamas Conflict provides numerous resources for Faith-Based Organizations, including CISA’s Protecting Houses of Worship Landing Page.

Additionally, Faith-Based ISAO’s website provides resources in the Resource Library, including information on Securing Facilities and People.

Developments after Assyrian Church Stabbing in Australia

The following articles cover the developing situation after the Assyrian church stabbing in Australia, which was highlighted in FB-ISAO’s 15 April 2024 Daily Awareness Post and 16 April 2024 Daily Awareness Post.

• Police say 51 officers injured in riot outside Sydney church where bishop was stabbed
• Sydney church stabbing: Police guard mosques amid attack fears
• Priest discharged as police make first arrest following terror attack and riots in Sydney
• Church attack bishop breaks his silence
• Gun-shy Australia, reeling from knife crime, weighs public security settings

Analyst comments:

The stabbing incident, with subsequent riots and threats to Muslims, shows how one incident can have a ripple effect in communities of faith. Faith-Based Organizations should consider monitoring news reports and social media for incidents that can affect their threat environment. The FB-ISAO Slack #dialy_awarenss channel is a good source of information in this regard.