US feds warn of ‘elevated threat’ to Jewish communities after Boulder and DC attacks

The FBI and US Department of Homeland Security warn of an elevated threat level to Jewish and Israeli targets, following a string of attacks.

The announcement says it comes in response to the firebombing of a hostages rally in Colorado this week, and the killing of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington last month. Both attackers cited the Gaza war as their motivation, according to investigators.

An arsonist also targeted the home of Jewish Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro in April due to the war.

“The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict may motivate other violent extremists and hate crime perpetrators with similar grievances to conduct violence against Jewish and Israeli communities and their supporters,” the announcement says.

“Foreign terrorist organizations also may try to exploit narratives related to the conflict to inspire attacks in the United States. The FBI and DHS therefore urge the public to remain vigilant and to report any threats of violence or suspicious activity to law enforcement,” it says.

US authorities often warn of elevated threats to Jewish communities at sensitive times, for example, several warnings came after the October 2023 invasion of Israel, and a warning was issued on the first anniversary of the attack.