IMPACT TO VIRGINIA AND AMERICA AT LARGE
- President Biden has expressed publicly that he believes the blast was not an Israeli strike. These assertions could inflame already high anti-American sentiment among pro-Palestinian supporters.
- U.S. Capitol police report that Anti-war groups Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) and If Not Now (INN) are sponsoring a planned demonstration at the US Capitol today. These anti-war protests are likely to result in non-violent civil disobedience.
- The Secure Community Network (SCN), the official safety and security organization of the Jewish community in North America, has reported an increase in suspicious and anti-semitic phone calls, emails, and social media contact. These communications have been directed towards the Jewish community and Jewish institutions motivated by the ongoing conflict in Israel.
- DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has publicly stated he’s “very concerned” about a lone wolf type attack vector to the Jewish community. Media outlets have amplified coverage of the conflict which may accelerate feelings of discontent and add to an Independent Lone Actors’ (ILA) perception of persecution. This climate may propel an ILA along their path towards targeted violence.
The VFC and SCN maintain a state of continual communication, and as of this writing, have identified no specific threats to our area or the country.
VFC Shield urges members to report any and all suspicious activity to the Virginia Fusion Center HERE.
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