Escalation of Israel-Hamas Conflict Fuels Concerns Over Increasing Domestic Unrest in the U.S.

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Incidents ranging from a lethal knife attack in Illinois, firearms aimed at demonstrators in Pennsylvania, defacement of synagogues, and harassment at a Palestinian eatery have heightened apprehensions that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas may be exacerbating violence within the United States.

This development appears to conform to a recurring trend: whenever conflicts flare up in the Middle East, there tends to be a corresponding rise in attacks against Jewish and Muslim communities in the U.S., occasionally resulting in casualties or hostage situations involving American citizens.

Brian Levin, the founding director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, articulated that American religious communities face “a dual-edged threat.”

Although it remains inconclusive whether the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict has led to a surge in anti-Muslim and anti-Jewish crimes in America, data from the FBI indicates a general uptick in hate crimes over the past year. According to its most recent annual report, hate crimes rose by 7%, totaling 11,634 cases in 2022. Of these, 1,124 were anti-Jewish incidents, making them the second most reported category after anti-Black incidents, with 158 reports of anti-Muslim attacks and 92 reports of anti-Arab cases.

However, civil liberties groups argue that the actual incidence of hate crimes is likely underreported. Robert McCaw, director of governmental affairs for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, suggests that discrepancies in crime data may be due to lack of reporting from local law enforcement agencies and fears within Muslim communities about coming forward. A 2021 study by the Othering & Belonging Institute at the University of California, Berkeley, supported this, indicating that 85% of victims of Islamophobia did not report the incidents.

Recent distressing events include a landlord in Plainfield, Illinois, accused of fatally stabbing a Palestinian American child and injuring the mother, purportedly targeting them due to their Muslim faith. Authorities, including the family, maintain that the attack was motivated by their Islamic beliefs and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The situation seems to echo the societal anxiety experienced in the aftermath of 9/11, according to Abed Ayoub, national executive director for the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. He notes an influx in reports concerning verbal harassment, threats, and physical assaults.

Imran Salha, imam of the Islamic Center of Detroit, emphasized that conflicts abroad have repercussions domestically, especially in areas with significant Muslim populations like Dearborn, Michigan, where community leaders have convened to discuss recent threats.

Historical data supports these concerns. According to Brian Levin, previous Israeli-Palestinian conflicts have been followed by spikes in anti-Jewish hate crimes in the U.S. Instances in 1994, 2000, and 2021 exhibited similar patterns, especially in cities with sizable Jewish communities.

Amidst these unsettling developments, Julie Platt, chair of the Jewish Federations of North America, says Jewish institutions nationwide have been bolstering their security measures.

Community members in areas with a high concentration of Palestinian Americans, like certain neighborhoods in Brooklyn, also report an atmosphere of heightened tension.

In contrast, Abdul Elenani, co-owner of a Palestinian restaurant in New York City that has received threatening messages, points out that the adversity is countered by solidarity from neighbors, including many from the Jewish community, who are united in the desire to minimize civilian casualties.

Reported by Ramer from Concord, New Hampshire, with contributions from Joey Cappelletti in Dearborn, Michigan; Deepa Bharath in Los Angeles; Jake Offenhartz, Noreen Nasir and Ayesha Mir in New York; Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Jim Salter in St. Louis.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Domestic Unrest Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict

More about Domestic Unrest Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict

• FBI Annual Hate Crime Report
• Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino
• Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Report on Islamophobia
• Othering & Belonging Institute Islamophobia Study
• American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
• Historical Data on Anti-Jewish Hate Crimes
• Preventive Measures for Community Security
• U.S. Communities with High Muslim Populations