The attack on Israel launched early Saturday morning by Hamas militants in Gaza has shocked Jewish organizations and prompted concerns of anti-Semitic attacks in the United States and elsewhere.
Security at Jewish institutions in the US was already heightened following terrorist attacks in recent years, such as the 2018 attack on the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, which killed 11 worshippers. This weekend, observant Jews also celebrate two holidays: Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah.
The Jewish Federations of North America, which represents some 400 Jewish groups in the US, said in a statement to Insider that its security team is “coordinating with law enforcement and key partners” following the outbreak of war.
“At this time, there are no known credible threats to the US Jewish community,” said the statement, attributed to the group’s Secure Community Network. Nevertheless, it is recommending that “Jewish facilities review and enforce security protocols, and maintain coordination with law enforcement.”
Last year, the Anti-Defamation League said fighting between Israel and Hamas had contributed to a 34% rise in antisemitic incidents in the US in 2021. Israel and Gaza militants fought an 11-day war that year, result in the death of more than 240 Palestinians and a dozen Israelis.
“Jews were being attacked in the streets for no other reason than the fact that they were Jewish, and it seemed as if the working assumption was that if you were Jewish, you were blameworthy for what was happening half a world away,” ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said in a statement at the time, noting that there is always “a rise in antisemitic activity during periods of increased hostilities between Israel and terrorist groups.”
