An attack by the Hamas organization on Israel will be the most serious terrorist threat against the United States since the emergence of the Islamic State (ISIS) almost a decade ago, said the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Christopher Wray. on Tuesday in the US Congress, Reuters and Agerpres report.

FBI Director Christopher WrayPhoto: ALEX WONG / Getty images / Profimedia

Ray said that since the Israeli-Palestinian conflict began this month, several foreign terrorist organizations have called for attacks on Americans in the West, significantly raising the threat level from aggressive extremists in the United States.

“The actions of Hamas and its allies will serve as a source of inspiration that we have not seen since ISIS (the Islamic State jihadist group – no) established its so-called caliphate several years ago,” said the FBI director.

He was questioned by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which monitors threats to the US. The government in Washington has noted what some officials say are increased threats to Jews, Muslims and Arab Americans since the fighting in Gaza began.

Ray recalled that this month also saw an increase in attacks by Iran-backed militias on US military bases abroad. He also noted that cyber attacks against the United States by Iran and some private individuals are likely to increase if the conflict widens.

Iran’s UN mission did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment on the FBI director’s statements.

Anti-Semitism is on the rise in the US

During the hearing, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said that hatred of Jewish students in the U.S. contributed to the rise of anti-Semitism after the start of the war between Israel and Hamas.

The White House expressed concern this week about reports of anti-Semitic incidents at American universities, where tensions have prompted officials to tighten security measures.

On Tuesday, at a summit on ransomware (malicious software whose authors demand a ransom for blocking victims’ data – no), organized by the President of the United States, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that he had instructed his subordinate Department of Justice to support Israeli investigators investigating the case. transmits financial transfers to Hamas, including with the use of cryptocurrencies.

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