New York Governor Kathy Hochul is beefing up security in the Big Apple after an intelligence report suggests the likelihood of a terrorist attack is increasing following Hamas’ brutal attack on Israel on October 7.
The assessment, written by the New York State Intelligence Center, was first reported by CBS News.
The report noted that due to increasing violence in Israel due to the bombing of Gaza, “chatter” about possible terror targets in the Big Apple has increased.
“I’m working hard at the state level with the control I have.” “I’ll talk about it tomorrow, about what exactly we’re doing, how many online threats we’ve uncovered, how many have been investigated and what the outcome is,” Hochul was quoted as saying.
The governor also spoke about her administration looking for ways to counter online radicalization.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said her administration is working with officials following a new report claiming the likelihood of a terrorist attack in the Big Apple has increased
FBI Director Christopher Wray spoke about how federal agencies are tracking radical online activity in the wake of the new report
Since Hamas’s barbaric attack on Israel on October 7, New York City has become a hotbed of pro-Palestinian protests
The intelligence center’s report found that hate crimes against Jews, Muslims and Arabs are fueled by online rhetoric.
“The expansion of Israeli operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip and the increase in civilian casualties increase the likelihood that violent extremist threat actors will attempt to carry out attacks against targets in the West, with New York State as a focus.”
“Terrorist messaging has placed emphasis on attacks on ‘soft targets’ such as protests, group gatherings and other public events,” the report reads in part.
“Our greatest concern is that violent extremists, individuals or small groups, will take inspiration from events in the Middle East to carry out attacks on Americans in their daily lives,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said last week.
“This includes not only domestic violent extremists inspired by a foreign terrorist organization, but also domestic violent extremists who target Jewish or Muslim communities,” he added.
Last week, Hochul diverted $2.5 million in funds to work with state police investigators to bolster the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Force across New York.
Eight investigators will be located in the JTTF New York City office and one investigator will be located in the Albany and Rochester offices. The governor’s office said about 30 state law enforcement officers worked with the task force before the additional investigators were added, the New York Daily News reported.
Governor Hochul last week announced the addition of 10 additional investigators to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Take Force to combat the staggering rise in anti-Semitism
Earlier this month, a black swastika was painted on the door and picnic tables at Naturally Good Food & Café in Montauk
“It is painful for me as the governor of this great state, known for its diversity and the way we celebrate different cultures, different religions and different viewpoints.
“It is painful to see the cruelty with which New Yorkers treat each other everywhere, from college campuses to our streets and schools to playgrounds, even when they enter their houses of worship,” Hochul said last week.
The governor spoke about recent incidents, including the crowd that stormed Grand Central Terminal and called for a ceasefire in Gaza – resulting in more than 300 arrests.
As the busiest travel day of the year, Thanksgiving, approaches, the governor said law enforcement will be present to ensure commuters can “go about their lives freely and without disruption.”
“The day Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 and the rise in hate crimes began immediately.” “I immediately deployed state police to be on high alert and protect assets at risk,” the governor said.
These assets at risk also include the city’s synagogues, yeshivas and mosques, as well as any other places that could be vulnerable to hate crimes or violence.
The governor’s office said it is also in contact with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to share information about potential threats.
During her address, she announced a significant increase in funding for her efforts, totaling $75 million – $50 million going to local law enforcement and $25 million to security grants.
She expressed her gratitude to state and local law enforcement agencies who are protecting civilians during this unprecedented time.
“The state police were out there, embedded with local law enforcement. ‘I saw it with my own eyes.’
She continued, “I go to different places of worship and whether it’s here in New York City, it happens and I’m grateful for their efforts.”
Last month, Hochul announced a review of perceived anti-Semitic activity on the City University of New York campus.
The schools have long been a hotbed of student activism in support of Palestinian human rights and against Israeli policies toward Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Some activists expressed concerns that the review could undermine legitimate rights to freedom of expression and discourage people from expressing political opinions.
“I worry that this is just another excuse to silence or undermine pro-Palestinian activism at a time when it is needed most,” said Nerdeen Kiswani, a former leader of the campus group Students for Justice in Palestine.
Hochul said the investigation will include an assessment of anti-Semitism on the system’s campuses, how schools investigate anti-Semitism and discrimination complaints, and make recommendations on how to respect free speech rights while protecting people from discrimination and anti-Semitism.