Israel-Hamas conflict prompting jump in US hate crimes: DHS memo
Intensifying Israeli airstrikes against Hamas targets in Gaza and a possible ground assault “may increase calls for violence in the United States,” according to a new intelligence assessment by the Department of Homeland Security that also noted there has already been a rise in hate crimes against Jewish, Muslim and Arab communities.
“Targeted violence attacks may increase as the conflict progresses,” the assessment said.
A separate memo to law enforcement agencies in Washington D.C., said, the escalation in the latest war between Israel and Hamas almost certainly will increase the threat of "terrorism and targeted violence” in the United States.
“While we currently have no intelligence to suggest that homegrown violent extremists and unaffiliated lone actors are planning any attack on the District or U.S. at large, foreign terrorist organizations are likely to increase the production of propaganda compelling U.S.-based actors to conduct attacks,” the memo said.
Likely targets include houses of worship, First Amendment-protected demonstrations and events, or U.S. military assets, the memo said. It mentioned an increase in swatting calls targeting Jewish houses of worship in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island with hoax bomb threats.
The memo adds, "We expect to remain in a heightened threat environment in the near-to-medium term -- even if a diplomatic solution to the crisis is found.”
--ABC News' Aaron Katersky and Josh Margolin
