.By: Fern Sidman

Amid a troubling surge in antisemitic violence, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have issued a joint public service announcement warning of an elevated threat to Jewish and Israeli communities across the United States. According to a report at Israel National News on Friday, the advisory comes in the wake of two violent incidents targeting Jews and Israelis on American soil—incidents that authorities fear may be the harbingers of a more sustained pattern of hate-fueled attacks.

The bulletin, released in early June, urges heightened vigilance as tensions from the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict spill beyond the Middle East and fuel domestic extremism.

The first major flashpoint cited in the advisory occurred on June 1, 2025, in Boulder, Colorado, where a pro-Israel gathering turned into a scene of chaos after a man launched two Molotov cocktails into the crowd. At least nine people were injured, some seriously, in what local authorities have confirmed was a targeted hate crime. The attacker reportedly shouted pro-Hamas slogans and accused participants of “supporting genocide,” echoing extremist rhetoric spreading online.

As Israel National News has reported, the Boulder attack left the Jewish community shaken, not just because of the violence itself but due to its symbolic nature. The event had been organized to raise awareness about Israeli hostages still held by Hamas, and the crowd included elderly Holocaust survivors, families of terror victims, and peaceful demonstrators calling for humanitarian intervention.

Just days before that, on May 28, 2025, the Jewish community was rocked by an even more lethal assault. Two Israeli Embassy staffers were shot and killed following an event at the Capitol Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. The assailant—now in custody—reportedly expressed rage over Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The shooting occurred mere blocks from federal government buildings, raising red flags about potential lapses in security coordination for Jewish events held in the capital.

As noted in the Israel National News report, these events prompted an urgent internal assessment by national security agencies, culminating in the joint advisory issued by the FBI and DHS. The agencies underscore that while there is no specific or credible threat linked to a planned attack at this time, individuals motivated by hate, conspiracy theories, or jihadist ideology may attempt to emulate these recent attacks.

The warning further emphasizes the risk of “inspired violence”—a scenario in which lone actors or small groups, radicalized through online content or propaganda from foreign terrorist organizations, take action without formal coordination. The agencies warn that this threat will remain elevated “for the foreseeable future” as the war between Israel and Hamas continues.

The FBI and DHS are urging the public, particularly Jewish institutions and pro-Israel advocacy groups, to review their security protocols. According to the bulletin shared by Israel National News, the agencies recommend maintaining active communication with local law enforcement and the nearest FBI field office.as well as reporting suspicious activity immediately, including unknown individuals loitering near synagogues, Jewish schools, or community centers.

They also recommend reviewing access controls, surveillance systems, and evacuation procedures and remaining cautious when organizing public pro-Israel events or demonstrations, which could become flashpoints.

The public is encouraged to report any threats or concerning behaviors directly through the FBI’s tip line at tips.fbi.gov or by calling local FBI offices. In the event of an imminent threat or emergency, individuals are advised to call 911.

The report at Israel National News indicated that the latest threats reflect a disturbing trend in rising antisemitism not only across the United States but globally. Since the October 7, 2023, Hamas invasion of southern Israel, Jewish institutions have reported a sharp uptick in hate crimes, harassment, and vandalism, with synagogues, schools, and Jewish-owned businesses frequently targeted.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has recorded record numbers of antisemitic incidents in the U.S. since the start of the conflict. University campuses, too, have become hotbeds for hostility, with pro-Hamas rallies escalating into violent altercations and intimidation of Jewish students, often under the guise of political protest.

Authorities are particularly concerned about online radicalization, noting that encrypted messaging apps and social media platforms are being used to spread calls to violence, some of which originate from state-sponsored or extremist-aligned sources abroad.

As the conflict in Gaza continues unabated, its ripple effects are increasingly being felt in American cities. The joint warning from the FBI and DHS, as reported by Israel National News, is a stark reminder that the battle lines of antisemitic hatred are not confined to the Middle East.