Posted on 12/13/2023 5:01:33 PM PST by lightman
The FBI and two other federal agencies issued a public safety warning on Dec. 12, highlighting potential threats to the U.S. during the upcoming Christmas and New Year's holidays.
The bureau, along with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and National Counterterrorism Center, cited the ongoing Israel–Hamas war as a potential trigger for attacks. However, the agencies didn't point to any specific plot.
“FBI and DHS assess that ongoing tensions related to the conflict between Israel and Hamas likely heighten the threat of lone actor violence targeting large public gatherings throughout the winter, including holiday-related, faith-based, New Year’s Eve, and First Amendment-protected events related to the conflict,” the three agencies said in a statement.
“Although this announcement is not in response to any specific plotting activity, these targets likely remain attractive to lone actors inspired by a range of ideologies due to their accessibility and symbolic nature.”
Both the DHS and the FBI issued similar warnings in October after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that left more than 1,200 civilians dead in Israel, sparking the current conflict in the country. FBI Director Christopher Wray has repeatedly warned about possible terrorist attacks on U.S. soil, inspired by Hamas.
The statement warns that "lone actors" could seek to carry out acts of violence at high-profile events, religious locations, large gatherings, and other locations throughout the winter.
"Such gatherings could become a convenient target for those inspired to commit violence against Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Arab communities," it reads, noting that "calls for violence may increase in the days leading up to the holidays and before other notable events this winter."
"Factors that could further exacerbate the threat of violence include escalations in the conflict between Israel and Hamas and notable instances of violence in the Homeland inspiring copycat or retaliatory attacks. We therefore urge everyone to remain vigilant and to report any threats of violence or suspicious activity to law enforcement."
In addition to the increase in terror threats, officials also made note of a surge in recent "hoax bomb threats and active shooter threats targeting synagogues around the United States, likely intended to disrupt services and intimidate congregants," according to the statement.
Aside from the three agencies, the U.S. State Department issued a "worldwide caution" alert for U.S. citizens who are traveling abroad, coming just days after the Oct. 7 attacks.
"Due to increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution," it reads.
Wray Warning
During a Senate hearing earlier in December, Mr. Wray was asked about alleged threats facing the United States. "What I would say that is unique about the environment that we're in right now in my career is that while there may have been times over the years where individual threats could have been higher here or there than where they may be right now, I've never seen a time where all the threats or so many of the threats are all elevated, all at exactly the same time," the FBI director said, responding to a question from Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
Mr. Graham made reference to a "blinking red lights analogy about 9/11 ... all the lights were blinking red before 9/11, apparently."
He then asked the FBI director, "Would you say there's multiple blinking red lights out there?"
Mr. Wray answered, "I see blinking red lights everywhere."
Weeks before, on Oct. 31, the FBI chief said Hamas's actions "will serve as an inspiration the likes of which we haven’t seen since ISIS launched its so-called caliphate several years ago."
“This is not a time for panic, but it is a time for vigilance,” Mr. Wray said. “You often hear the expression if you see something, say something. ... That’s never been more true than now.”
He was referring to a slogan that has often been used at U.S. transportation hubs since the 9/11 attacks. Opinion Poll
The warning comes as a wartime opinion poll carried out among Palestinians published on Dec. 13 shows a rise in support for Hamas, which appears to have ticked up even in the devastated Gaza Strip, and an overwhelming rejection of Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas. Nearly 90 percent said he must resign.
Washington has called for the West Bank-based PA to eventually assume control of Gaza and run both territories as a precursor to statehood. U.S. officials have said that the Palestinian Authority must be revitalized, without letting on whether this would mean leadership changes.
The PA administers pockets of the Israeli-occupied West Bank and had governed Gaza until a takeover by Hamas in 2007. The Palestinians haven't held elections since 2006, when Hamas won a parliamentary majority.
I already fear the FIB.
The FIB should RAID THE WHITE HOUSE and ARREST PRESIDENT POOPY-DIAPERS for allowing TERRORISTS and other criminals to come into our country by the MILLIONS.
What they really should be warning about is persecution of Americans by THEM. And the DHS, the TSA, the CIA, DOJ et al.
I’m at the point now actually believing they are more of a threat to Americans’ freedoms than virtually any other country.
Bush, Hussein O and the Potato have settled hundreds of thousands of muzzies into the USA. Then there are the untold numbers that entered the USA from the southern border.
The muzzy inmans five-six weeks ago called out to attack the Jews and Christians in the US…”Saturday people first, then the Sunday people”.
If you “See Something” at your Church, be prepared to react with force.
If these two traitorous agencies did their jobs properly the warning would not be necessary.
That would be like me to keep borrowing money to keep from going broke. Seems like a good strategy to start with but the long term results look dismal.
“Borrowing money to keep from going broke”...sounds like another idea in vogue in Washington right now.
I carry even at church. G29. God bless.
Obviously, not terrorism or it would have been called out by the fbi and the msm would have covered the trial.
I’ll take a guess at this....
So who is the FBI planning on attacking now?
Answer - AMERICAN CITIZENS!!!
Was that Waukesha Wisconsin. ?
…l
Or to sound the alarm while their 702 FISA authority is being voted on.
Wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if they have a false flag lying in wait if 702 should fail so they can point and say, “See, if only the Republicans had reauthorized 702, this tragedy would have been averted”
Apparently that’s how they do....
Yuppers.
Control Both sides of the argument and
You Control It All.
HEY FBI: CLOSE THE DAMN BORDER...
13 years of Obama’s death to America implantation has yielded many nefarious fruits for his agenda.
This is just the beginning.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.