Jewish communities face 'enduring threat' in the US, federal authorities warn
The warning comes just a week after a Hanukkah machete attack in New York.
Jewish communities face an "enduring threat" in the wake of recent attacks across the country, federal authorities warned in an intelligence document obtained by ABC News.
The notice came a week after a man, who allegedly espoused anti-Semitic sentiments in journals, slashed five people with a machete at a Hanukkah celebration in a New York City suburb, according to officials.
The FBI, Department of Homeland Security and National Counterterrorism Center on Friday advised federal, state and local authorities "to remain vigilant in light of the enduring threat to Jewish communities posed by domestic violent extremists and perpetrators of hate crimes," according to the joint intelligence document.
Four incidents against Jewish communities, all of which have occurred since October 2018, were cited: the Hanukkah machete attack on Dec. 29 in Monsey, New York; a kosher deli shooting that left three people dead on Dec. 10 in Jersey City, New Jersey; a synagogue shooting in April that left one person dead and three others wounded in Poway, California; and the Tree of Life synagogue shooting that left 11 worshipers dead Oct. 27, 2018, in Pittsburgh.
"We remain concerned that other U.S.-based individuals ... could become inspired by these attacks and carry out further violence against Jewish communities," the document read.
Authorities noted that most of the suspected attackers used "simple tactics and relatively easily obtainable weapons such as firearms and edged weapons, although some have sought to use explosive devices."
There was no mention of foreign terror groups or Americans inspired by foreign groups, like ISIS. Authorities instead focused on risks posed by potential domestic terrorists.
A rally and march are planned for Sunday in New York City in light of the recent anti-Semitic attacks.
Thousands are expected to attend the "No Hate, No Fear Solidarity March" that kicks off at 11 a.m. in Lower Manhattan's Foley Square and ends at Brooklyn's Cadman Plaza.
Officials with the Anti-Defamation League said in a statement they were "horrified by the latest string of anti-Semitic attacks in New York, and the most recent attack against Jews in Monsey."
"New York has a growing problem. ... When will enough be enough?" said the statement, issued last week with the Secure Community Network, the official safety and security organization of The Jewish Federations of North America and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
The lawyer and family of Grafton Thomas, the suspected attacker in the Monsey incident, said he has no ties to any hate groups. Thomas faces hate crime and attempted murder charges.
The Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wold said he takes the recent string of attacks on houses of worship, including synagogues, "very seriously," according to a memo issued on Thursday.
"The right to practice religion free of interference or fear is one of our nation's most fundamental and indelible rights," Wolf wrote in the memo to senior staff. "As such, the targeting of houses of worship by violent extremists of any ideology is particularly abhorrent and must be prevented."
Wolf said he would offer ways to "expand DHS's role and further support the efforts made by state and local governments and faith-based organizations to keep houses of worship safe, secure, and resilient." Such efforts include recommendations from a recent report from the Homeland Security Council, an independent group that recommends best practices and policies for DHS.
The memo came less than a month after a Dec. 17 report from the department's Security Advisory Council alerted Wolf that faith-based communities continued to be vulnerable to "extremist violence" despite earlier recommendations on how the federal government should move to protect them.
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