FBI Director Christopher Wray stated during a congressional hearing that the attack by Hamas on Israel will result in the most significant terror threat to the United States since the emergence of ISIS. Wray emphasized that multiple foreign terrorist organizations have called for attacks against Americans and the West since the start of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza, increasing the danger posed by homegrown U.S. violent extremists. He compared the actions of Hamas and its allies to the inspiration provided by ISIS when it established its caliphate. These remarks were made during a hearing focused on threats to the United States before the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Officials have reported an increase in threats against Jews, Muslims, and Arab Americans in the United States since the outbreak of fighting in Gaza.
Wray also highlighted that there has been a rise in attacks on U.S. military bases overseas by Iran-backed militia groups this month. He warned that if the conflict expands, cyber attacks against the United States by Iran and non-state actors are likely to worsen. The Iranian mission to the United Nations did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, speaking at the same hearing, mentioned that hate directed at Jewish students in the United States following the start of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza has contributed to an increase in antisemitism. The White House expressed concern about reports of anti-Jewish incidents at U.S. universities and the subsequent tightening of security measures by university officials due to heightened tensions.
During the hearing, Senator Josh Hawley questioned Mayorkas about why a U.S. asylum officer who allegedly made anti-Israel social media posts was placed on leave but not fired, accusing the employee of “celebrating genocide.” Mayorkas strongly rejected the suggestion that the posts reflected the views of U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees, emphasizing that his own mother was a Holocaust survivor.
At a ransomware summit organized by the White House, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that he had instructed the Justice Department to assist Israeli investigators in probing financial flows to Hamas, including those involving cryptocurrency.
In conclusion, the article highlights the significant terror threat to the United States resulting from the attack by Hamas on Israel. It emphasizes the increase in threats against Americans and the West by foreign terrorist organizations and the rise in attacks on U.S. military bases overseas by Iran-backed militia groups. The article also addresses the issue of antisemitism and the concerns expressed by the White House regarding anti-Jewish incidents at U.S. universities. Additionally, it mentions the questioning of a U.S. asylum officer and the assistance provided by the Justice Department to Israeli investigators in probing financial flows to Hamas.
