06 October 2024,   21:13
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FBI director warns antisemitism in US reaching “historic levels”

Antisemitism in the US is reaching “historic levels” in the wake of violence in Israel and Gaza, FBI Director Christopher Wray has warned, writes BBC.

Speaking to a senate panel on Tuesday, Mr Wray said 60% of all religious-based hate crimes targeted Jewish people. He added that the figure had likely increased amid anger caused by the ongoing violence in Gaza.

Other countries, including the UK and France, have also warned of a recent major uptick in antisemitic incidents.

“This is a threat that is reaching, in some way, sort of historic levels”, Mr Wray told the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. He added that although Jews make up only about 2.4% of the US public, they account for about 60% of all religious-based hate crimes.

“The Jewish community is targeted by terrorists really across the spectrum. This is not a time for panic, but it is a time for vigilance. We shouldn’t stop conducting our daily lives - going to schools, houses of worship, and so forth - but we should be vigilant”, - said Mr Wray.

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