On Tuesday, AlertsUSA subscribers were notified of an increase in the security posture of synagogues, temples, Jewish Community Centers, and schools worldwide with the approach of Passover (evening of April 12-20) and renewed fighting in Gaza. The Israel National Security Council warned this week that with the collapse of the ceasefire, they are expecting to see "an increase in attempted attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets abroad carried out by local initiatives or lone-wolf attackers."
In the United States alone, there are more than 3500 Jewish synagogues and temples, 170 Jewish Community Centers, and over 900 Jewish day schools.
From the INSC's warning message:
"The bottom line is that the various terrorist entities, including Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, and Global Jihad, are still high motivated and active in advancing attacks against Israelis and Jews around the world. The backdrop of the hate-filled general feeling towards Israelis and Jews in many countries because of the war continues to fuel motivation among terrorists to carry out attacks against Israelis and Jews abroad."
[...]
"In addition to the increased terrorism threats, we have seen a surge in hate crimes and antisemitic incidents against Jews and Israelis around the world. Since the beginning of the Swords of Iron war, there have been hundreds of violent attacks against Israelis/Jews around the world, both in organized, planned attacks and in local lone-wolf initiatives, including mob violence such as the riot attack on Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer fans in Amsterdam in November, 2024."
Readers are reminded that there is a documented history of terror attacks occurring during Passover, the Jewish holiday commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. This is due to the period's significance as a major religious and cultural event when Jewish communities gather in large numbers, making it a symbolically potent time for perpetrators. And that includes here in the United States.
The most prominent case is the Poway synagogue shooting in April 2019 in Poway, California. This attack occurred on the last day of Passover, when a 19-year-old gunman entered the Chabad of Poway synagogue and opened fire, killing one and injuring three others, including the rabbi.
Other incidents near Passover include acts of vandalism or thwarted efforts, such as a 2011 Manhattan terrorism plot involving a plan by two radicalized individuals to bomb a synagogue around Passover but was foiled before execution.
Caution and a high level of vigilance are urged during this period.
AlertsUSA continues to monitor the national and international threat environment and will immediately notify service subscribers of any new alerts, warnings, or advisories impacting the overall threat picture for American citizens, as events warrant. |
