Title: FBI Director Warns of Heightened Terror Threat to United States Following Hamas Attack on Israel
Date: October 31, 2022
By Ted Hesson, Immigration Reporter
WASHINGTON: The recent attack by Hamas on Israel has prompted FBI Director Christopher Wray to issue a strong warning during a congressional hearing on Tuesday. Wray stated that this attack will inspire the most significant terror threat to the United States since the rise of ISIS nearly a decade ago.
Since the start of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza earlier this month, multiple foreign terrorist organizations have called for attacks against Americans and the West, according to Wray. He emphasized the rising threat posed by homegrown U.S. violent extremists, fueled by the actions of Hamas and its allies.
“The actions of Hamas and its allies will serve as an inspiration the likes of which we haven’t seen since ISIS launched its so-called caliphate several years ago,” Wray asserted.
The remarks were made during a hearing before the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which was focused on assessing threats to the United States. Officials have reported an increase in threats against Jews, Muslims, and Arab Americans since the conflict erupted in Gaza.
Additionally, Wray highlighted a rise in attacks on U.S. military bases overseas by Iran-backed militia groups. He warned that cyber attacks against the United States by Iran and non-state actors are likely to worsen if the Israeli-Palestinian conflict expands.
Iran’s mission to the United Nations has not responded to requests for comment on the escalating situation.
During the same hearing, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas addressed the increase in antisemitism, specifically hate directed at Jewish students in the United States following the start of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza.
The White House expressed alarm this week at reports of anti-Jewish incidents at U.S. universities, which has prompted university officials to tighten security measures.
The hearing also saw Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican, questioning Mayorkas about the actions taken against a U.S. asylum officer who allegedly made anti-Israel social media posts. Senator Hawley criticized the decision to place the employee on leave without terminating their employment, accusing the individual of “celebrating genocide.”
Mayorkas responded by calling the posts “despicable” and emphasized that they do not reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees. He further noted that his own mother was a Holocaust survivor.
In a separate event, Attorney General Merrick Garland, at a ransomware summit organized by the White House on Tuesday, revealed that the Justice Department had been directed to assist Israeli investigators in their inquiries into financial flows to Hamas, including those involving cryptocurrency.
As tensions escalate in the region, the United States remains committed to addressing the evolving threats and ensuring the safety and security of its citizens.
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Additional Information:
Ted Hesson is an immigration reporter for Reuters, based in Washington, D.C. His work primarily focuses on immigration, asylum, and border security policies and politics. Prior to his role at Reuters, Hesson worked for news outlet POLITICO, where he covered immigration. His articles have been featured in POLITICO Magazine, The Atlantic, VICE News, and other reputable publications. Hesson holds a master’s degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College.