The continued war between Israel and Hamas has led to an increase in threats against Jewish, Muslim, and Arab populations, therefore U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has ordered all U.S. attorneys to maintain constant communication with state and local officials.
Garland stated Thursday in Jacksonville, Florida, of redlining, “As the FBI has noted, we are seeing an increase in reported threats against faith communities, particularly Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities and institutions.” Last week I instructed all 94 U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the FBI to maintain constant communication with their respective federal, state, and local law enforcement partners.
He also said that he had given orders for U.S. attorneys to contact local religious and civic leaders to find out how they could be of assistance.
A week after Hamas gunmen killed more than 1,400 people and took hundreds more hostage in Israel on October 7, FBI Director Christopher Wray warned Saturday that there has been an increase in reports of domestic threats. Israel has responded by imposing a siege on Gaza and launching retaliation rockets, which have resulted in the deaths of hundreds.
On Sunday, a 71-year-old man is accused of stabbing a 6-year-old Muslim kid to death and his mother several times in Illinois. The federal government is looking into the indecency as a possible hate crime.
Threats to religious groups are being paid special attention to, and the entire Justice Department is keeping a close eye out for, Garland said on Thursday. And the Justice Department is committed to doing everything possible to protect the American people from terrorist attacks.
