Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 6 June 2025

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. 

Major pro-Israel summit in Dallas canceled due to security threats

A major pro-Israel summit scheduled in Texas for 2025 was abruptly canceled due to credible threats from protest group, highlighting growing security concerns for Jewish and pro-Israel events in the U.S. The event, which had sold over 1,000 tickets and was to feature prominent speakers including former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, was called off after organizers were unable to secure a venue willing to host it amid escalating threats.

This cancellation reflects a troubling trend where extremist threats are increasingly disrupting public gatherings.  In 2023 we reported on a terror threat at a VA Marriott to cancel CAIR’s annual banquet. Both incidents underscoring the challenges event organizers face in ensuring safety and the need for robust security measures to protect free expression.

Related Articles:

• American Jihadists Target Pro-Israel Summit in Texas, Forcing Shutdown
• FBI PSA: Recent Attacks Highlight Elevated Threat to Israeli and Jewish Communities
• Mass Gathering Security Planning Tool

Analyst Comments: The forced cancellation of the Texas pro-Israel summit due to activist threats reveals the increasing reach and impact of extremist intimidation on domestic events. This disruption signals a broader trend of ideological actors seeking to silence opposing viewpoints through fear, rather than discourse. It also highlights vulnerabilities in venue security planning, especially when threats cause multiple sites to back out despite the event’s lawful and peaceful nature. The incident raises important questions about the balance between public safety and upholding First Amendment protections in the face of targeted intimidation. It further emphasizes the need for stronger coordination between event organizers, private security, and law enforcement to mitigate risks without ceding ground to extremist pressure. In response to such threats, organizers and venues may consider implementing enhanced security protocols. This could include the use of crowd control barriers, surveillance systems, and thorough screening processes to safeguard attendees and deter potential threats.

“Jihad Before Family”: Colorado Firebomber Declared Allegiance to Terror Before Attack on Jewish Demonstrators

On June 1^st Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian national residing illegally in the U.S., launched a firebomb attack on a peaceful pro-Israel demonstration in Boulder, Colorado. Disguised as a gardener, Soliman used Molotov cocktails and a homemade flamethrower against participants of the “Run for Their Lives” solidarity walk, injuring 16 people, including elderly individuals and a Holocaust survivor. He shouted pro-Palestinian slogans during the assault and later admitted to planning the attack for over a year, expressing a desire to kill “Zionist people” and stating he would commit the act again if possible.

Prior to the attack, Soliman recorded a video declaring that “jihad for Allah’s sake” was more important to him than his own family, emphasizing his extremist motivations.  He left messages for his family and a journal explaining his actions. Authorities discovered additional incendiary devices near the scene, indicating plans for further attacks.

Soliman has been charged with 118 offenses, including 28 counts of attempted murder and a federal hate crime. His wife and five children were detained by immigration authorities and face deportation, though they have filed a lawsuit claiming no knowledge of his plans.  The case has intensified political debates over immigration and antisemitism, with local and national leaders condemning the attack and its motivations.

Analyst Comments: The attack underscores the persistent threat of ideologically motivated violence targeting Jewish communities in the U.S., particularly in light of global conflicts. The assailant’s year-long planning and clear ideological motivation highlights how online radicalization and extremist narratives can translate into real-world violence. The discovery of additional incendiary devices near the scene suggests the potential for an even more devastating outcome. The suspect’s illegal immigration status and his family’s subsequent detention have reignited contentious debates around border enforcement and national security. This incident also raises concerns about soft-target vulnerabilities at public solidarity events and the need for enhanced threat monitoring.

FBI PSA: Home Internet Connected Devices Facilitate Criminal Activity

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center issued a Public Service Announcement on June 5, 2025, warning about cybercriminals exploiting Internet of Things devices connected to home networks through the BADBOX 2.0 botnet.

Key Points:

• BADBOX 2.0 Botnet:An evolution of the original BADBOX campaign disrupted in 2024, BADBOX 2.0 comprises millions of compromised devices. These devices are infected either before purchase or during setup via malicious apps from unofficial sources.
• Affected Devices: Compromised devices include TV streaming devices, digital projectors, aftermarket vehicle infotainment systems, and digital picture frames, many manufactured in China.
• Indicators of Compromise:
  • Presence of suspicious app marketplaces.
  • Devices requiring Google Play Protect to be disabled.
  • Generic streaming devices advertised as “unlocked” or offering free content.
  • Unrecognized brand names.
  • Android devices lacking Play Protect certification.
  • Unexplained or suspicious internet traffic.
• Mitigation Strategies:
  • Monitor home network traffic for anomalies.
  • Assess all connected IoT devices for suspicious activity.
  • Avoid downloading apps from unofficial marketplaces.
  • Keep all operating systems, software, and firmware up to date

Analyst Comments: The resurgence of the BADBOX botnet as BADBOX 2.0 underscores ongoing vulnerabilities in the supply chain and the increasing threat posed by low-cost, often foreign-manufactured IoT devices. Its scale impacting millions of devices demonstrates the botnet’s ability to evolve and reemerge even after initial disruption efforts. The FBI’s emphasis on pre-infected or side-loaded apps reflects a sophisticated shift toward embedding malware prior to consumer use, complicating detection and mitigation.The advisory further reinforces the need for broader awareness of supply chain integrity and the risks of bypassing trusted marketplaces.