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As open conflict unfolds between Israel and Iran, Jewish communities around the world are taking urgent protective measures.
The threat of Tehran regime-orchestrated attacks on Jewish or Israeli targets abroad has prompted emergency responses across continents, fueled not only by intensifying regional hostilities but by a concurrent surge in global antisemitism.
United States: Federal Warnings and Community Vigilance
In early June, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security issued a public service announcement warning of an “elevated threat” to Jewish and Israeli communities across the United States. The alert came after two serious incidents: a Molotov cocktail attack targeting Jewish marchers in Boulder, Colorado, which wounded fifteen people and a fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy staffers outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C.
Following Israel’s pre-emptive strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities last Thursday night, major U.S. cities took immediate action. In New York CIty, the NYPD deployed additional officers to synagogues, schools, and Jewish cultural institutions.
“The NYPD is tracking the situation in the Middle East,” the department posted on X. “Out of an abundance of caution, we’re deploying additional resources to Jewish, Israeli & other sites throughout NYC. We’re coordinating with our federal partners & will continue to monitor for any potential impact to NYC.”
National Jewish security organizations also moved quickly. The Secure Community Network (SCN) urged all Jewish institutions to remain on high alert, review emergency protocols, and stay in close contact with law enforcement. In a statement posted on X, SCN emphasized that the threat environment was fueled in part by “Iranian-linked actors, designated foreign terrorist organizations, violent extremists, and politically motivated groups — entities which continue to incite violence globally, including against Jewish civilians and communal facilities.”
SCN also noted the warning came amid a string of recent antisemitic attacks in Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., and Boulder. “SCN remains in close and ongoing contact with our law enforcement partners at the federal, state, and local levels, as well as with Jewish communal partners across North America,” the organization said.
The Community Security Service (CSS) similarly issued best practices or community members and institutions, encouraging increased situational awareness, communication with local police, and a thorough review of security protocols ahead of upcoming events or Shabbat services. CSS confirmed that it was “in communication with our communal and law enforcement partners to assess potential implications for the U.S. Jewish community.”
Europe: Synagogues Fortified, Embassies Shuttered
Governments and Jewish organizations across Europe have implemented similar measures. In Germany and France, authorities have intensified security around synagogues, community centers, and Israeli diplomatic sites amid growing concerns that Iran or its proxies could carry out revenge attacks.
In the United Kingdom, the Community Security Trust (CST) released a public warning urging Jewish residents to remain vigilant and adhere strictly to security guidelines. The Israeli Embassy in London temporarily closed following intelligence assessments indicating potential Iran-linked threats.
Meanwhile, Belgium has drawn criticism from Jewish leaders and Israeli officials for failing to adequately address escalating antisemitic rhetoric. At recent anti-Israel protests in Brussels, demonstrators displayed “wanted” posters featuring the names and faces of local Jewish leaders.
Israeli Minister for Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli issued a stark warning: “Hezbollah operatives operate in the country with complete impunity… Belgium has surrendered. I highly recommend the Jewish community in Belgium to leave — this country has lost its sovereignty and can no longer protect its Jews.”
Argentina: Past Trauma, Present Vigilance
In Argentina, home to Latin America’s largest Jewish population, national security authorities raised the terror alert to “intermediate” following the Israel–Iran escalation. Security Minister Patricia Bullrich ordered heightened protection around synagogues, schools, community centers, and the Israeli Embassy, coordinating directly with DAIA, Argentina’s Jewish umbrella organization.
Officials emphasized the urgency by recalling Argentina’s tragic history: Iran-backed Hezbollah carried out two deadly attacks in Buenos Aires, the 1992 bombing of the Israeli Embassy (29 fatalities) and the 1994 AMIA Jewish community center bombing (85 fatalities), the deadliest terror attacks targeting Jews in the country’s history.
While no specific plots have been identified in the current crisis, authorities and community leaders affirmed that proactive measures are essential given the ongoing threat environment.
Rising Antisemitism Compounds the Crisis
This wave of heightened security comes as Jewish communities around the world face a historic surge in antisemitism. In the United States, the FBI reported that although Jews make up only 2.5% of the population, they were the targets of more than two-thirds of all religiously-motivated hate crimes in 2023.
In Europe, the trend is equally alarming. France, Germany, and the UK have all documented record numbers of antisemitic incidents since Hamas’s October 7 massacre in Israel and the war that followed. Germany’s RIAS monitoring group reported more than 8,600 antisemitic incidents in 2024 — nearly double the year before.
These figures reflect a broader climate of incitement and instability. Security experts warn that geopolitical instability, terrorist propaganda, and unchecked incitement are creating fertile ground for both lone actors and coordinated attacks.
Resilience in Action: Jewish Communities Refuse to Retreat
Even amid heightened threats and global uncertainty, Jewish life persists.
While the Israel–Iran conflict may continue to unfold on the battlefield, its ripple effects are being felt far beyond the region.
And yet, Jewish communities are not retreating. They are responding — with vigilance, with resolve, and with an unshakable commitment to one another. From New York to London, Buenos Aires to Paris, the message is clear:
Jewish life will not be intimidated into silence. It will endure — in strength, in solidarity, and with unwavering resolve.
