NYPD Enhances Security Amid Global “Day of Jihad” Call, but No Credible Threats to NYC

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In the wake of a global call for a “day of Jihad” by Khaled Meshaal, the former leader of Hamas, the New York Police Department (NYPD) has taken proactive measures to bolster security at “sensitive locations” throughout the city, as was reported by the New York Post on Friday. Despite heightened concerns among some members of the local Jewish community, both city officials and security experts have emphasized that there are no credible threats to New York City.

Khaled Meshaal’s rallying cry for the Islamic world to stage protests in support of the Palestinians came on the heels of last Saturday’s deadly attack by Hamas on Israel, according to the Post report. This prompted the NYPD to take precautionary steps to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers.

“The NYPD’s Intelligence and Counterterrorism Bureau deploys a wide array of resources to protect the city based on events unfolding here and around the world,” the NYPD said in a Friday morning statement.

The NYPD’s Intelligence and Counterterrorism Bureau, responsible for monitoring events both locally and around the world, also announced in a statement, “This includes high-visibility resources like the Critical Response Command and Counterterrorism officers, as well as our Intelligence Division personnel. Given the situation unfolding in Israel, we have surged resources to sensitive locations out of an abundance of caution and to ensure that all New Yorkers stay safe,” the Post reported.

Rebecca Weiner, Deputy Commissioner of the Intelligence and Counterterrorism Bureau, reassured Jewish community leaders during a virtual meeting, saying, “This is to deter anyone who would seek to do us harm in this city. We still are not seeing any threat reporting suggesting violence in New York City. We are obviously aware that that can change at any moment.”

The NYPD has advised religious centers to ensure their strongest security measures are in place, the Post reported. This includes locking doors, ensuring alarms are functional, and verifying the operation of security cameras. Additionally, officers have been ordered to report for duty in uniform ahead of expected protests. No excuses or shift changes will be granted, and this order will remain in effect “until further notice.”

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who attended a meeting with Jewish community leaders, encouraged residents to remain vigilant. As was indicated in the Post report, he stated, “I want every New Yorker, especially Jewish New Yorkers and other groups, to know there are currently no credible or specific threats against our city, but with large-scale protests planned for tomorrow, we must remain vigilant.”

Jewish groups echoed the mayor’s sentiments and emphasized their commitment to safety. The Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, for example, pledged to continue working closely with law enforcement to ensure community safety. The Post report said that while acknowledging heightened tensions, security experts reiterated that there are no direct credible threats against the Jewish community in the United States.

“We are aware of our community’s safety and security concerns. In a time of heightened tension, our UJA/@JCRCNY Community Security Initiative will continue to work closely with law enforcement to help keep our community safe,” the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York posted on X Thursday, according to the Post report.

Michael Masters, CEO of the Secure Community Network, a Jewish security nonprofit, told Jewish leaders in a Thursday call that although “there’s a great deal of anxiety” about Friday, his organization has not found further reasons for concern, as was reported by the Post.

“As of this time we are not aware of any direct credible threats against the Jewish community in the US,” he said on the call, according to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA).

Levi Leifer, director of the volunteer Jewish neighborhood safety group Shmira Public Safety, told The Post Thursday that the organization has received a whopping 110% increase in phone calls since the Hamas attack on Israel.

Meanwhile, the city’s Department of Education sent a message to principals and superintendents Thursday advising them to “maintain a heightened sense of situational awareness,” and noted that the NYPD keeps a close watch on social media for any threats of violence.

Some parents of children attending Jewish schools told The Post Thursday that the schools had either beefed up security or opted to cancel classes Friday.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a prominent anti-Semitism watchdog, confirmed that they are closely monitoring the situation. As was noted in the Post report, in a statement, the ADL said, “At this time, [the ADL’s] Center on Extremism is not aware of any credible threats to Jewish communities in the United States.”

Despite concerns and increased calls for vigilance, it is important to note that there have been no specific threats or credible intelligence suggesting impending violence in New York City. Local communities, law enforcement, and security organizations remain proactive in ensuring the safety of all residents. While tensions may be running high, it is crucial to rely on the expertise and experience of security agencies and law enforcement to maintain public safety during these challenging times.