SUMMARY
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department ofHomeland Security (DHS) are issuing this Public ServiceAnnouncement to highlight potential threats in the United Statesfrom a variety of actors during the winter season. This is anupdate to 25 October and 10 October FBI and DHS Public ServiceAnnouncements. FBI and DHS also continue to share informationwith our law enforcement partners.
THREAT
FBI and DHS assess that ongoing tensions related to the conflictbetween Israel and HAMAS likely heighten the threat of loneactor violence targeting large public gatherings throughout thewinter, including holiday-related, faith-based, New Year’s Eve,and First Amendment protected events related to the conflict.Although this announcement is not in response to any specificplotting activity, these targets likely remain attractive to loneactors inspired by a range of ideologies due to their accessibilityand symbolic nature.
Since the HAMAS attack on Israel on 7 October, various foreignterrorist media organizations have called for lone actor attacks inthe United States. Racially or ethnically motivated violentextremists (RMVEs) have also increased calls for violence and celebrated attacks on the Jewish community. Lone actors mayseek to disrupt or escalate violence at large gatherings, highprofile events, or symbolic or religious locations throughout thewinter. Such gatherings could become a convenient target forthose inspired to commit violence against Jewish, Christian,Muslim and Arab communities. Hate crime perpetrators have alsoplayed a role in violence and threats of violence. There has beena spike in reporting on potential hate crimes or other criminalviolations from the public, local law enforcement partners, andother private or public sector partners since 7 October. We havealso observed an increase in hoax bomb and active shooterthreats targeting synagogues across the United States, likelyintended to disrupt services and intimidate congregants.
Calls for violence may increase in the days leading up to theholidays and before other notable events this winter. Factors thatcould further exacerbate the threat of violence includeescalations in the conflict between Israel and HAMAS and notableinstances of violence in the Homeland inspiring copycat orretaliatory attacks. We therefore urge everyone to remainvigilant and to report any threats of violence or suspiciousactivity to law enforcement.
RESOURCES
FBI and DHS are particularly attuned in this environment to theconcerns of the Jewish, Arab American, and Muslim communitiesand will continue to engage directly with leaders in thesecommunities to ensure that available resources are utilized.
To help mitigate potential risks in today’s dynamic and rapidlyevolving threat environment, DHS has compiled severalresources for communities and faith leaders, including theCybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)compendium of resources for securing mass gatherings andpublic spaces.
Additionally, resources for law enforcement also are available toincrease our nation’s ability to prevent acts of violence andincrease our resilience to evolving threats.
To report any leads, threats, or suspected criminal activity, FBIand DHS urge the public to visit
tips.fbi.gov or contact their localFBI Office: www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices
For emergenciesor an immediate threat to life, please call 911.
For tips on identifying concerning behavior which may beconnected to violent extremism, the FBI, DHS, and the NationalCounterterrorism Center published an updated U.S.
ViolentExtremist Mobilization Indicators booklet in 2021.
If You See Something, Say Something® – Report suspiciousactivity and threats of violence, including online threats, to locallaw enforcement, FBI Field Offices, or your local Fusion Center.
