Police departments on both coasts in the nation’s two biggest cities have boosted security in their respective Jewish communities including synagogues in New York City and Los Angeles following Hamas militants’ attack on Israel.
The majority of the nation’s 7.5 million Jewish people live in New York with a population of 1.9 million. Los Angeles is next on the list with large community of 617,000 followed by Miami with 525,000.
On Saturday afternoon, NYC Mayor Eric Adams announced that he had instructed the NYPD to deploy additional resources to protect Jewish communities and houses of worship in New York City following militants’ attack on Israel.
The NYPD is also adjusting its patrol routes to incorporate areas of significance to both Israeli and Palestinian interests.
The NYPD’s Counterterrorism and Intelligence Division remains vigilant and is operating at a heightened level of alertness in response to the attacks in Israel.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams announced he had directed the NYPD to allocate additional resources to ensure the safety of Jewish communities (file photo)
Patrols were also boosted outside synagogues in Los Angeles. Pictured the Etz Jacob Congregation in LA (file photo)
Adams said Saturday’s attack ‘is nothing more than a cowardly action.’
‘Today’s attack, coming at the end of what is supposed to be a celebratory time at the end of the Jewish High Holy days, is nothing more than a cowardly action by a terrorist organization seeking to undo that peace and divide us into factions. That won’t happen,’ Adams stated.
‘I am also communicating directly with Police Commissioner Caban and Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism Weiner about the situation.
‘While there is no credible threat to New York City at this time, our administration is in touch with Jewish leaders across the five boroughs, and we have directed the NYPD to deploy additional resources to Jewish communities and houses of worship citywide to ensure that our communities have the resources they need to make sure everyone feels safe,’ Adams explained about the extra security,
Across the country in California, police increased security and patrols around Jewish institutions in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica.
Across the country in California , police increased security and patrols around Jewish institutions in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica
In Florida, Miami Beach Police said they were increasing police visibility ‘near all synagogues and strategic locations in our city …to ensure the safety and security of everyone.’
‘The Los Angeles Police Department is aware of the turmoil in the Middle East and lives lost. In those areas where we serve both our Jewish and Muslim communities, we will be conducting extra patrol to ensure the safety of all,’ LAPD Chief Michel Moore wrote online.
‘We are appalled by this act of terrorism by Hamas against the citizens and civilian communities in Israel,’ Beverly Hills Mayor Julian Gold said.
‘We call on President Biden and Congress to act swiftly in support of Israel. Additionally, we hope all peace-loving nations of the world and the United Nations, will condemn this senseless violence. Our hearts are with the people of Israel as we stand together and support Israel defending itself and condemn this heinous act.’
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department ‘is aware of the situation in the Middle East,’ the agency said in a statement.
‘We would like to ensure all residents, we are monitoring, remaining vigilant, and conducting extra patrol checks in our areas. We are working closely with our federal and local law enforcement partners to monitor the situation.’
Members of MAGEN Chicago are part of a local community safety group. They are pictured at an event earlier this week
An Orthodox Jew walks past a ‘Crown Heights Shmira Patrol’ security vehicle in Brooklyn. Although the unit looks like it is part of the NYPD, it is in fact a local security-patrol group
NYPD counterterrorism officers, far left, are seen outside Temple Emanu-El in New York (file)
A watch commander at the Santa Monica Police Department said: ‘There have been periodic checks that we have directed to our extra cars. I sent one out when I saw the news.’
In Florida, Miami Beach Police said they were increasing police visibility ‘near all synagogues and strategic locations in our city …to ensure the safety and security of everyone.’
Miami is the country’s third biggest Jewish population center home to 525,000 Jews.
Several U.S.-based airlines have canceled flights in light of the attack.
United Airlines, American and Delta have suspended service to and from Tel Aviv following the unrest.
“The safety of our customers and crew is our top priority. We are closely monitoring the situation and we are adjusting flight schedules as required,’ United said in a statement.
Hamas militants fired thousands of rockets and sent dozens of fighters into Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip in an unprecedented surprise early morning attack during a major Jewish holiday Saturday, killing dozens and stunning the country.
Israel said it is now at war with Hamas and launched airstrikes in Gaza, vowing to inflict an ‘unprecedented price.’
‘We are at war,’ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised address, declaring a mass army mobilization. ‘Not an ‘operation,’ not a ’round,’ but at war.’
President Joe Biden delivered remarks from the White House on Saturday expressing U.S. support for Israel in light of Hamas’ attack.
‘We will not ever fail to have their back,’ Biden said. ‘Israel has the right to defend itself and his people full stop. There is never a justification for terrorist attacks and my administration’s support for Israel security is rock solid and unwavering. Let me say this as clearly as I can. This is not a moment for any party hostile to Israel to exploit these attacks to seek advantage. The world is watching,’ Biden said.
Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk
Content source – www.soundhealthandlastingwealth.com
