Hearing on Anti-Semitic Violence Growth in the U.S.
House Homeland Security Committee members are initiating hearings about the rise in anti-Semitic violence in America, particularly following recent incidents in Boulder, Colorado, and Washington, D.C. The chairman of the committee’s counterterrorism and intelligence subcommittee, August Pfluger from Texas, has planned a session for June 11 to delve into the increase of anti-Israel attacks domestically.
Pfluger noted that these violent acts aren’t solitary events. They reflect a broader, worrying pattern. He mentioned various forms of harassment directed at Jewish individuals, including incidents on university campuses, and highlighted the recent cold-blooded killings of two embassy staffers in D.C. as evidence of escalating anti-Semitic violence.
The White House criticized what it termed the “reckless Biden policy,” particularly pointing to the Boulder terrorist attacks. Pfluger asserted that the Department of Homeland Security should partner with state and local authorities to confront the evolving threats both at home and abroad. He emphasized the need to ensure a safe environment for all Americans, especially for Jewish communities, to live free from hatred.
Among those testifying at the hearing will be Kelly Sleeper, an official from a major Jewish security organization overseeing a national operations center that collaborates with agencies like the DHS and the FBI. Pfluger has previously voiced concerns about the dangers posed by terrorist groups, revisiting a legislative effort aimed at demanding annual assessments of such threats.
This measure has garnered bipartisan backing, even attracting co-sponsorship from Democrat Jimmy Panetta of California. The urgency of these discussions increased following the occurrences where gunmen killed Israeli embassy workers in D.C. in May. The attacker, identified as Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, has been linked to the crime.
The Boulder incident also raised alarms; it led to injuries for many participants, including Holocaust survivors, during an event organized by a pro-Israel group. Reports indicate the assailant, Mohamed Sabrie Soliman, who entered the U.S. under the Biden administration, initiated his attack while shouting “Free Palestine” and using a makeshift flamethrower.
Lawmakers and experts have repeatedly warned about the risks posed by foreign extremists entering the country and potentially harming American citizens. Notably, Rep. Mike Turner and Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Greene highlighted these issues in 2024, noting that nearly 100 individuals on the terrorist watchlist had evaded security measures.
Concerns have also been echoed by the FBI. Former director Christopher Wray remarked on the ongoing threats from international terrorists and the Bureau’s ongoing collaboration with immigration enforcement to address these issues effectively.
