13/10/2023
PSA: October 13, 2023 - WORLDWIDE
Today, Khaled Meshaal, the former leader of Hamas (a radical Islamic fundamentalist militant group currently at war with Israel), has called for tomorrow, October 13, to be a worldwide day of Jihad.
The video:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12621915/khaled-meshaal-hamas-friday-13th-day-jihad.html ;
We have reviewed the video of of Mr. Meshaal's statement and note that, while he encourages Muslims in countries near Israel to fight, he is specifically calling for worldwide "protests." The term "Jihad" refers to "struggle" and does not necessarily connote violence even though it is sometimes used in the context of violence. That said, major news outlets have been showing protests for and against both Israel and the Palestinian people in various U.S. cities. Given the present escalation of the war, we believe U.S. domestic tensions will continue to increase between people with a political or personal interest in this ongoing conflict, especially in areas with large populations of Muslims and Jews.
While the FBI says there have been no specific threats made against U.S. targets, federal and local law enforcement are asking the public to be hyper-vigilant.
https://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases/fbi-statement-on-hamas-attacks-in-israel
https://lamag.com/news/lapd-increase-patrols-los-angeles-hamas-urges-global-day-of-jihad-friday-october-13
In NYC, NYPD is erring on the side of caution and having all members of the department work tomorrow.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/nypd-mobilizes-full-force-after-31176393.amp
With all of this in mind, here are some general guidelines to follow to affect reasonable increases to you and your families', and your coworkers', safety and security:
*Increase access controls where you work and at home. Ensure door locks on buildings and vehicles are engaged. If able, restrict access only thru keys, key cards, and access codes. Where reasonable, require employees/tenants to es**rt facility visitors.
*Download and use the Citizen app to keep up to date on nearby protests or incidents of violence.
(https://citizen.com/download)
*Be extra vigilant and more situationally aware, especially as you travel between home and work.
*Avoid transitting and travelling near areas where protests are taking place or where groups of people appear to be gathering.
*If you find yourself near where two or more people appear to be arguing or fighting, leave the area immediately. Aggression contagion is real. Two people arguing can lead to a mob fighting and even gunfire.
*Report anything suspicious or concerning to security or local law enforcement even if you don't think it's a "big deal."
Requests for urgent reponse security services, anywhere, can be made by calling 800-348-6985.
Protecting YOU. Anywhere. NOW!
'[We must] head to the squares and streets of the Arab and Islamic world on Friday,' said Meshaal, who currently heads Hamas's diaspora office, in a recorded statement sent to Reuters.