In a thorough study of attacks targeting Jews and Israelis in the United States since 1969, Yehudit Barsky discerns some important patterns. (Free registration required.)
- Of the incidents where motivation can be ascertained, white supremacist and radical Islamist ideologies were a central influencing factor. Periods of increased levels of attack are also associated with the growth of extremist movements and terrorist organizations connected to white supremacy and radical Islamist terrorism.
- The overwhelming majority of attacks (51 percent) were carried out against Jewish houses of worship, followed by Jewish communal institutions (14 percent), Jewish persons (13 percent), and educational institutions (10 percent). . . . Although the total number of attacks has declined slightly, recent incidents have been increasingly lethal and have, or [if successful] would have, claimed many more victims.
- Jewish targets often serve as precursors to larger attacks; perpetrators of well-known larger attacks, such as the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, were first involved in anti-Jewish incidents.
- In many of these incidents, perpetrators conducted pre-operational surveillance. Training and engagement of community members to detect suspicious activity is thus essential.
Barsky concludes:
The Jewish community can ill afford passivity and apathy against security threats. The community should broaden its understanding of what effective security entails, and invest in initiatives that provide tangible results. Foremost among these strategies is ensuring community members have the training and capacity to assist in securing their own communities, and partnering more closely with law enforcement agencies. . . .
Unfortunately, much as we do not care to admit it to ourselves, the threats are real; there have been too many incidents to deny that. Now in the second decade of the 21st century, we find ourselves in an era where those who promote anti-Jewish rhetoric and instigation have the technical tools to reach a broader audience in less time than ever before. In fact, as recently as March 2016, Islamic State publicly encouraged its followers to attack Jews and their allies, “wherever they find them.”
Read more on Community Security Services: http://digioh.com/em/25233/110711/tv7r4pmgx4