“The Rise of Anti-Israel Extremist Groups and Their Threat to U.S. National Security”

1[House Hearing, 119 Congress]2[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]34                     THE RISE OF ANTI-ISRAEL EXTREMIST GROUPS5                    AND THEIR THREAT TO U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY67=======================================================================89                                HEARING1011                               BEFORE THE1213                            SUBCOMMITTEE ON14                          COUNTERTERRORISM AND15                              INTELLIGENCE1617                                OF THE1819                     COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY20                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES2122                    ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS2324                             FIRST SESSION2526                               __________2728                             JUNE 11, 20252930                               __________3132                           Serial No. 119-193334                               __________3536       Printed for the use of the Committee on Homeland Security3738 [GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]3940        Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.govinfo.gov4142                               __________4344                   U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE4561-402 PDF                  WASHINGTON : 20254647-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------4849                     COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY5051                 Mark E. Green, MD, Tennessee, Chairman52Michael T. McCaul, Texas, Vice       Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi,53    Chair                                Ranking Member54Clay Higgins, Louisiana              Eric Swalwell, California55Michael Guest, Mississippi           J. Luis Correa, California56Carlos A. Gimenez, Florida           Shri Thanedar, Michigan57August Pfluger, Texas                Seth Magaziner, Rhode Island58Andrew R. Garbarino, New York        Daniel S. Goldman, New York59Marjorie Taylor Greene, Georgia      Delia C. Ramirez, Illinois60Tony Gonzales, Texas                 Timothy M. Kennedy, New York61Morgan Luttrell, Texas               LaMonica McIver, New Jersey62Dale W. Strong, Alabama              Julie Johnson, Texas, Vice Ranking63Josh Brecheen, Oklahoma                  Member64Elijah Crane, Arizona                Pablo Jose Hernandez, Puerto Rico65Andrew Ogles, Tennessee              Nellie Pou, New Jersey66Sheri Biggs, South Carolina          Troy A. Carter, Louisiana67Gabe Evans, Colorado                 Robert Garcia, California68Ryan Mackenzie, Pennsylvania         Al Green, Texas69Brad Knott, North Carolina70                    Eric Heighberger, Staff Director71                  Hope Goins, Minority Staff Director72                       Sean Corcoran, Chief Clerk73                                 ------7475           SUBCOMMITTEE ON COUNTERTERRORISM AND INTELLIGENCE7677                    August Pfluger, Texas, Chairman78Marjorie Taylor Greene, Georgia      Seth Magaziner, Rhode Island,79Tony Gonzales, Texas                     Ranking Member80Morgan Luttrell, Texas               J. Luis Correa, California81Gabe Evans, Colorado                 Daniel S. Goldman, New York82Ryan Mackenzie, Pennsylvania         Pablo Jose Hernandez, Puerto Rico83Mark E. Green, MD, Tennessee (ex     Nellie Pou, New Jersey84    officio)                         Bennie G. Thompson, Mississippi85                                         (ex officio)86               Natalie Hurst, Subcommittee Staff Director87          Brittany Carr, Minority Subcommittee Staff Director8889                           C O N T E N T S9091                              ----------92                                                                   Page9394                               Statements9596The Honorable August Pfluger, a Representative in Congress From97  the State of Texas, and Chairman, Subcommittee on98  Counterterrorism and Intelligence:99  Oral Statement.................................................     1100  Prepared Statement.............................................     4101The Honorable Seth Magaziner, a Representative in Congress From102  the State of Rhode Island, and Ranking Member, Subcommittee on103  Counterterrorism and Intelligence:104  Oral Statement.................................................     5105  Prepared Statement.............................................     7106107                               Witnesses108109Mr. Kerry Sleeper, Deputy Director of Intelligence and110  Information Sharing, Secure Community Network:111  Oral Statement.................................................     9112  Prepared Statement.............................................    11113Mr. Oren Segal, Senior Vice President of Counter-Extremism and114  Intelligence, Anti-Defamation League:115  Oral Statement.................................................    13116  Prepared Statement.............................................    15117Mr. James Jay Carafano, Ph.D., Private Citizen:118  Oral Statement.................................................    27119  Prepared Statement.............................................    28120Ms. Julie Fishman Rayman, Senior Vice President of Policy and121  Political Affairs, American Jewish Committee:122  Oral Statement.................................................    31123  Prepared Statement.............................................    33124125   THE RISE OF ANTI-ISRAEL EXTREMIST GROUPS AND THEIR THREAT TO U.S.126                           NATIONAL SECURITY127128                              ----------129130                        Wednesday, June 11, 2025131132             U.S. House of Representatives,133                    Committee on Homeland Security,134         Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence,135                                                    Washington, DC.136    The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:34 a.m., at137Room 310, Cannon House Office Building, Hon. August Pfluger138[Chairman of the subcommittee] presiding.139    Present: Representatives Pfluger, Greene, Evans, Mackenzie,140Magaziner, Goldman, Hernandez, and Pou.141    Mr. Pfluger. The Committee on Homeland Security,142Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence will come to143order. Without objection, the subcommittee may recess at any144point.145    The purpose of this hearing is to examine, unfortunately,146the growing threat of antisemitism within the United States147particularly as it relates to the circumstances surrounding the148killing of Israeli embassy staff in Washington, DC, as well as149assessing the current counterterrorism measures in addressing150the threat of antisemitic violence targeting Jewish Americans151and foreign diplomats on U.S. soil.152    I now recognize myself for an opening statement. I want to153thank my colleagues. I want to thank our witnesses and all who154have joined us for today's important hearing on a deeply155troubling and persistent issue, one that strikes at the very156core of our national values. We convene today in the shadow of157a deeply unsettling trend, the continuing rise in antisemitic158attacks across the United States.159    This alarming pattern has been brought into sharp and160painful focus by the recent incidents in Washington, DC,161Boulder, Colorado, and, unfortunately, many other events. Here162in our Nation's capital just a few blocks away from where we163sit right now, 2 young and innocent lives were taken in a164brutal attack at the capital Jewish museum following an event165for young Jewish professionals.166    In Boulder, Colorado, several individuals were severely167injured in a horrific act of violence during a peaceful168demonstration meant to highlight the plight of Israeli hostages169still being held by Hamas.170    Most recently, anti-ICE rioters in Los Angeles and, in171fact, many other cities have attacked Federal agents, torching172streets, defacing property, and assaulting officers for173enforcing the law, an attack on our very core of law and order174that is related to the subject that we are talking about today.175    In Paramount, agents deployed tear gas and flashbangs to176disperse violent mob. President Trump has responded decisively177sending National Guard troops to restore order and protect the178public. Instead of standing with law enforcement to protect179communities, Governor Newsom dismissed the deployment,180downplaying violence altogether. This reckless refusal to181acknowledge the severity of the crisis undermines public safety182and sends a message that lawlessness will be tolerated in183certain places throughout our country.184    Last week, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula released a185video calling for attacks on U.S. soil specifically targeting186Government officials, specifically targeting Members of187Congress. Companies tied to the war in Gaza, and Jewish188institutions were also called for with violent attacks. The189group's leader even cited recent attacks here in the District190of Columbia as examples to follow.191    This should be a chilling reminder. Antisemitic, might we192say anti-Jewish, hate is not only rising, it is being193weaponized by foreign terrorist organizations and inspiring194violence right here in our homeland. These incidents are not195isolated; they reflect a broader and deeply troubling surge in196antisemitic rhetoric and violence, both on-line and in our197neighborhoods.198    As the numbers continue to rise, fear has taken hold in199many Jewish communities nationwide. For the fourth consecutive200year, antisemitic incidents have increased in all 50 States.201This is not a localized problem. It is a national crisis.202    We cannot talk about national security without addressing203the policies that allowed this environment to take root.204    When President Trump took office in January we quickly saw205the truth: What we had been told for 4 years--that our hands206were tied by current laws--was a lie. We didn't need more207legislation. We needed a leadership that was willing to secure208the border and enforce laws that were already in existence.209    While this new leadership led to historic lows in illegal210border crossings, the danger we now face comes not from those211trying to get in but from those that are already here. For 4212years the Biden administration opened the floodgates allowing213millions to pour across our border unchecked. Among them were214individuals who now exploit weak immigration enforcement and215thrive in a system that refuses to apply existing laws in216certain communities, laws that were meant to protect us from217exactly this kind of hate and violence.218    Last year, right here on this committee, I confronted219Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas about these very dangers. I warned220about people already living among us people, people who had221been radicalized, emboldened, and driven to hate, and today we222are seeing this threat materialize right before our eyes. These223heinous acts of hatred or not only attacks on individual lives,224they are assaults on the very principles of religious freedom,225safety, and security that formed the foundation of our226democracy.227    What is worse, this hatred is not confined to dark corners228of the internet or lone extremists. It is now showing up in our229institutions and places that should be safe and inclusive, our230schools and our universities, have become breeding grounds for231antisemitism.232    Jewish students are being harassed, intimidated, and in233some cases physically attacked, often with little to no234response from university leadership. This is a fact. This is235happening. Literally, dozens of people have reached out to my236office, people that I don't know, that I have never met, that237have said that this is happening. Nothing has been done at some238of these universities and institutions.239    This failure to act is not neutrality. It is complicity.240Let me be absolutely clear that anyone who refuses to call out241these hate-filled actors, who fails to condemn their vile242actions loudly and unequivocally is no longer a bystander. They243are complicit. Silence and apathy in the face of antisemitism244is not neutrality. It is permission to continue to act that245way, and it enables the hate to spread and the violence to246escalate.247    We will no longer tolerate cowardice or indifference when248Jewish lives are under threat. The Jewish community has long249been a vibrant and integral part of the Nation's fabric, yet250today too many Jewish Americans are now living with an ever-251present fear for their families, their institutions, and their252future simply because of who they are and what they believe.253    This hearing is an opportunity to confront the threat head-254on. It is a chance to hear directly from Jewish leaders, from255law enforcement officials, and community experts on the front256lines and to ask ourselves and to determine what more Congress257and our Government can do to respond effectively and prevent258this type of behavior from continuing to grow in this country.259    President Trump has issued a vital Executive Order to260combat antisemitism on college campuses and to protect Jewish261students. Yet despite these steps, wide-spread harassment of262Jewish students at dozens of universities has persisted.263    Whether it means improving how we track and report hate264crimes, investing in stronger security for at-risk communities,265or expanding education to dispel antisemitic myths, one thing266is clear. Action is not optional. It is imperative.267    Our purpose today is clear: To understand the root causes268of this rise in antisemitic violence; to hold accountable those269who would perpetrate and enable it; and to strengthen our270response to protect vulnerable communities, communities that271should not be vulnerable or subjected to this kind of fear,272threat of violence, and, might I say, terrorism. We must273examine how we can all work together to confront hate and build274resilience.275    This hearing is a call to action to reaffirm that hatred276and bigotry have no place in America and to ensure that every277citizen can live without fear of discrimination or violence. I278look forward to hearing from our witnesses, from our experts,279and working together with colleagues on this committee to forge280a path that promotes safety, justice, and unity.281    My hope today is that those that serve on this this282committee, regardless of party affiliation, will boldly condemn283the actions that have led to violence against the Jewish284community, the actions that just a couple of short weeks ago285took the lives of 2 young innocent Americans, the actions that286have threatened our communities in places like Boulder,287Colorado.288    One thing is going to be absolutely clear today. There is289no room for antisemitism in the United States of America, not290in Washington, not in Boulder, nowhere. We will know today291where this committee stands.292    This committee was formed in the wake of 9/11 as a result293of the most horrific terrorist attack that our Nation has294suffered, and we have to get a grip right now in this committee295on what continues to drive those that would perpetrate this296violence inside the United States.297    We have to understand and also recognize that there are298people that were let into this country over the last 4 years299that have a tie to radical groups like al-Qaeda, like ISIS, and300that still affiliate with these groups and are prone to301radicalization and do want to do harm to many communities,302including our Jewish community.303    I want to thank the witnesses for being with us this304morning, and I yield back.305    [The statement of Chairman Pfluger follows:]306                  Statement of Chairman August Pfluger307                             June 11, 2025308    Good morning and thank you to my colleagues, our witnesses, and all309who have joined us for today's important hearing on a deeply troubling310and persistent issue--one that strikes at the core of our national311values.312    We convene today in the shadow of a deeply unsettling trend: the313continuing rise in antisemitic attacks across the United States. This314alarming pattern has been brought into sharp and painful focus by the315recent incidents in Washington, DC, and Boulder, Colorado.316    Here in our Nation's capital, just blocks from where we sit, 2317young and innocent lives were taken in a brutal attack at the Capital318Jewish Museum following an event for young Jewish professionals.319    In Boulder, Colorado, several individuals were severely injured in320a horrific act of violence during a peaceful demonstration meant to321highlight the plight of Israeli hostages being held by Hamas.322    Most recently, anti-ICE rioters in Los Angeles have attacked323Federal agents--torching streets, defacing property, and assaulting324officers for enforcing the law.325    In Paramount, agents deployed tear gas and flash-bangs to disperse326violent mobs. President Trump responded decisively, sending 2,000327National Guard troops to restore order and protect the public.328    Instead of standing with law enforcement to protect communities,329Governor Newsom dismissed the deployment, downplaying the violence330altogether. This reckless refusal to acknowledge the severity of the331crisis undermines public safety and sends a message that lawlessness332will be tolerated.333    Last week, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula released a video334calling for attacks on U.S. soil--specifically targeting Government335officials, companies tied to the war in Gaza, and Jewish institutions.336The group's leader even cited recent attacks here in the District of337Columbia as examples to follow. This is a chilling reminder:338antisemitic hate is not only rising--it's being weaponized by foreign339terrorist organizations and inspiring violence right here at home.340    These incidents are not isolated; they reflect a broader and deeply341troubling surge in antisemitic rhetoric and violence--both on-line and342in our neighborhoods. As the numbers continue to rise, fear is taking343hold on Jewish communities nationwide.344    For the fourth consecutive year, antisemitic incidents have345increased in all 50 States. This is not a localized problem--it is a346national crisis.347    We cannot talk about national security without addressing the348policies that allowed this environment to take root. When President349Trump took office in January, we quickly saw the truth: what we had350been told for 4 years--that our hands were tied by the current laws--351was a lie. We didn't need more legislation. We needed leadership that352was willing to secure the border and enforce the laws already in353existence.354    And while this new leadership led to historic lows in illegal355border crossings, the danger we now face comes not from those trying to356get in--but from those already here. For 4 years, the Biden357administration opened the floodgates, allowing millions to pour across358our border unchecked. Among them are individuals who now exploit weak359immigration enforcement and thrive in a system that refuses to apply360existing laws--laws meant to protect us from exactly this kind of hate361and violence.362    Last year, I came before this committee to confront Secretary363Alejandro Mayorkas about these very dangers. I warned about the people364already living among us--people who have been radicalized, emboldened,365and driven to hate. Today, we are seeing this threat materialize before366our eyes.367    These heinous acts of hatred are not only attacks on individual368lives--they are assaults on the very principles of religious freedom,369safety, and security that form the foundation of our democracy.370    What's worse, this hatred is not confined to dark corners of the371internet or lone extremists. It is now showing up in our institutions--372in places that should be safe and inclusive. Our schools and373universities, have become breeding grounds for antisemitism. Jewish374students are being harassed, intimidated, and, in some cases,375physically attacked--often with little to no response from university376leadership. This failure to act is not neutrality--it is complicity.377    Let me be absolutely clear: anyone who refuses to call out these378hate-filled actors, who fails to condemn their vile actions loudly and379unequivocally, is no longer a bystander--they are complicit. Silence380and apathy in the face of antisemitism is not neutrality--it is381permission. And it enables the hate to spread and the violence to382escalate. We will no longer tolerate cowardice or indifference when383Jewish lives are under threat.384    The Jewish community has long been a vibrant and integral part of385our Nation's fabric. Yet today, too many Jewish Americans are now386living with an ever-present fear--for their families, their387institutions, and their future--simply because of who they are and what388they believe.389    This hearing is an opportunity to confront the threat head-on. It390is a chance to hear directly from Jewish leaders, law enforcement391officials, and community experts on the front lines--and ask ourselves,392and to determine what more Congress and our Government must do to393respond effectively?394    The Trump administration issued a vital Executive Order to combat395antisemitism on college campuses and protect Jewish students. Despite396these positive steps, widespread harassment of Jewish students at397dozens of universities across the country has persisted.398    Whether it means improving how we track and report hate crimes,399investing in stronger security for at-risk communities or expanding400education to dispel antisemitic myths--one thing is clear: action is401not optional, it is imperative.402    Our purpose today is clear: to understand the root causes of this403rise in antisemitic violence, to hold accountable those who perpetrate404and enable it, and to strengthen our response to protect vulnerable405communities. We must examine how we can all work together to confront406hate and build resilience.407    This hearing is a call to action--to reaffirm that hatred and408bigotry have no place in America, and to ensure that every citizen can409live without fear of discrimination or violence.410    I look forward to hearing from our witnesses and working together411with my colleagues to forge a path forward that promotes safety,412justice, and unity.413    Let this hearing make one thing absolutely clear: there is no room414for antisemitism in the United States of America. Not in Boulder,415Colorado, not in Washington, DC, not anywhere.416    Thank you to all our witnesses for being with us this morning, and417I look forward to the discussion ahead.418419    Mr. Pfluger. I will now yield to the Ranking Member, the420gentleman from Rhode Island, Mr. Magaziner, for his opening421statement.422    Mr. Magaziner. Thank you to the Chair for calling this423important hearing.424    I thank our witnesses for being here today. I want to begin425by honoring the memories of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim,426who were senselessly killed last month following the American427Jewish Committee's annual Young Diplomats Reception here in428Washington. They were a young couple who had their whole lives429ahead of them, including a planned engagement. I know that430every Member of this subcommittee extends our deepest431condolences to their families and friends.432    We also grieve for the victims of the horrific attack in433Boulder, Colorado, who had Molotov cocktails thrown at them434while walking in support of hostages held by Hamas. Both of435these incidents were antisemitic terrorism, and we must clearly436call them out for what they are. We must condemn them.437    The same is true in the arson attack on Pennsylvania438Governor Josh Shapiro's home a few weeks ago.439    According to the Anti-Defamation League, in 2024, there440were nearly 10,000 reported antisemitic incidents across the441United States, a 5 percent increase from 2023 and the highest442number on record since the ADL began tracking antisemitic443incidents 46 years ago.444    Antisemitism exists throughout our society. It can be found445on the left, on the right, in the middle, and it must be called446out everywhere. But while it is true that Jews in America face447the threat of antisemitic violence throughout our country, it448is also true that the Jewish people have friends and supporters449throughout our country.450    In the year 1790, President George Washington visited the451Touro Synagogue in my home State in Newport, Rhode Island, and452prayed with the local Jewish congregation to demonstrate his453wish that America would be a country welcoming of all faiths454and specifically the Jewish faith.455    Now, this is personal for me as well as the son of a Jewish456father and a Catholic mother. I have family who were driven out457of their home countries due to antisemitic violence. I have458experienced personally, as have other Members of my family,459antisemitic harassment here in the United States. It is a daily460fact of life, unfortunately.461    I am concerned about our Government's ability to counter462the rise of antisemitic violence. I want to make sure that our463Government is doing everything that it can to stamp this out464and to keep people safe.465    That is why I am concerned that President Trump has fired466staff across the Federal Government who are tasked with467investigating cases of violent antisemitism and other forms of468hate, including over 100 employees at the DHS Office for Civil469Rights and Civil Liberties tasked with investigating and470stamping out violent antisemitism and other domestic violent471extremism, some 250 attorneys, about 70 percent of the Justice472Department's Civil Rights Division, and at least 240 staff at473the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights.474    Let's be clear. Antisemitism on college campuses is a real475problem that must be dealt with. The way you deal with that is476by strong oversight from the Department of Education, including477the Office for Civil Rights, which has been gutted, not by478cutting off funding for medical research.479    President Trump recently installed Thomas Fugate to serve480as the director of DHS's Center for Prevention, Programs, and481Partnerships. For those of you who don't know, this is the482office that is tasked with partnering with local law483enforcement, nonprofit organizations, churches, synagogues,484private-sector organizations to prevent hate-driven violence.485    Mr. Fugate is a 22-year-old who just graduated college with486no counterterrorism, national security, or law enforcement487experience. I bring this up not to be partisan because, again,488there is antisemitism on all sides of the political spectrum.489Believe me I know that. But I genuinely am concerned that this490sends a signal about how serious the administration actually is491in doing the work of stamping out antisemitic hate and492violence.493    Words are nice but actions are important and personnel is494important as well. If the administration takes combating495violent extremism seriously, why put this man in charge of the496office tasked with preventing domestic violent extremism? We497need an answer to that. People want to know.498    We also want to know why the FBI has transferred agents and499intelligence analysts out of the domestic terrorism section and500canceled the development of a national domestic terrorism501incident database. Again, the policies matter.502    I hope that this will be an opportunity for us to course503correct and to surge resources toward those agencies that are504tasked with stamping out domestic violent extremism, including505antisemitic violence. We should be surging resources to those506agencies, not gutting them.507    It is a tragedy that it has taken the deaths of 2 innocent508people and the severe injuries of a dozen others to remind some509people of the importance of cracking down on domestic violent510extremism, including antisemitic violence in this country. We511should be increasing the Federal Government's focus on512preventing violent extremism, not cutting funds and not513shifting personnel away from those efforts.514    I hope in light of these terrible events that the515administration will reconsider, shift resources, and put the516very best people in charge of the agencies tasked with doing517this important work.518    I hope we can use this hearing as an opportunity to hear519from our expert witnesses on how the Federal Government can520disrupt the surge in violent antisemitic extremism that we have521seen since October 7 and stop the normalization of antisemitism522and enhance the safety of the Jewish community in our country.523We cannot lose anyone else to antisemitic hate. Full stop.524    I thank our witnesses again. I look forward to hearing from525you, and I yield back.526    [The statement of Ranking Member Magaziner follows:]527               Statement of Ranking Member Seth Magaziner528                             June 11, 2025529    I want to begin by honoring the memories of Yaron Lischinsky and530Sarah Milgrim, who were senselessly killed last month following the531American Jewish Committee's annual Young Diplomats Reception here in532Washington. Yaron and Sarah were a young couple who had their whole533lives ahead of them, including a planned engagement. I know that every534Member of this subcommittee extends our deepest condolences to their535families and friends. I also grieve for the victims of the horrific536attack in Boulder, Colorado, who had Molotov cocktails thrown at them537while walking in support of the hostages held by Hamas.538    Both of these incidents were antisemitic terrorism--we must clearly539call them out for what they are, and we must condemn them. The same is540also true in the arson attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's541home.542    According to the Anti-Defamation League, in 2024, there were 9,354543reported antisemitic incidents across the United States, a 5 percent544increase from 2023 and the highest number on record since ADL began545tracking antisemitic incidents 46 years ago. Antisemitism exists546throughout our society. Antisemitism can be found on the left, the547right, and the middle and must be called out everywhere. But while it548is true that Jews in America face the threat of antisemitic violence549throughout our society, it is also true that the Jewish people have550friends and supporters throughout our society.551    In the year 1790, President George Washington visited the Touro552Synagogue in my home State of Rhode Island, and prayed with the local553congregation to demonstrate his wish that America would be a country554welcoming of all faiths, including specifically the Jewish faith. I am555concerned about our Government's ability to counter the rise of556antisemitic violence we are seeing.557    President Trump has fired staff across the Federal Government who558were tasked with that investing cases of violent antisemitism and other559forms of hate, including: 131 employees at the DHS Office for Civil560Rights and Civil Liberties. Some 250 attorneys or around 70 percent of561the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. At least 240 staff at562the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights.563    President Trump recently installed Thomas Fugate to serve as the564director of DHS's Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships--this565is the office tasked with partnering with local law enforcement and the566private sector to prevent hate-driven violence. Mr. Fugate is a 22-567year-old who just graduated college with no counterterrorism or568national security experience. If the administration takes combating569violent antisemitism seriously--why put him in charge of the office570tasked with preventing domestic violent extremism.571    The administration has also transferred FBI agents and FBI572intelligence analysts out of the Domestic Terrorism Section and573canceled the development of a national domestic terrorism incident574database. We should be increasing the Federal Government's focus on575preventing violent extremism, not cutting funds and shifting personnel576away from those efforts. Decreasing Government personnel dedicated to577preventing violent extremism including antisemitic violence, undermines578efforts to counter antisemitism.579    I hope that in light of the terrible events in Washington and in580Boulder, that the administration will reconsider, and shift resources581back into combatting antisemitism. I hope to discuss how we can disrupt582this surge in violent antisemitic extremism, stop the normalization of583antisemitism, and enhance the safety of the Jewish community and other584targeted groups.585586    Mr. Pfluger. I thank the Ranking Member.587    Other Members of the committee are reminded that opening588statements may be submitted for the record. I am now pleased to589introduce 4 distinguished witnesses before us on this very590topic, but I first ask that they rise and please raise their591right hands. Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you will592give before the Committee on Homeland Security of the U.S.593House of Representatives will be the truth, the whole truth,594and nothing but the truth, so help you God?595    Thank you. The record reflects that the witnesses have596answered in the affirmative.597    [Witnesses sworn.]598    Mr. Pfluger. I would now like to formally introduce them.599Mr. Kerry Sleeper currently serves as deputy director of600intelligence information sharing at Secure Community Network.601In this role he coordinates with DHS, FBI, and many other602governmental and nongovernmental agencies to provide 24/7603coverage for SCN's national Jewish operations command center.604    Mr. Oren Segal serves as senior vice president of counter605extremism and intelligence at the Anti-Defamation League and606oversees the Center on Extremism, the Center for Technology and607Society, and law enforcement teams.608    Dr. James Carafano is a leading expert on national security609and foreign policy challenges and has previously served as the610Heritage Foundation's vice president of foreign and defense611policy studies.612    Finally, Ms. Julie Rayman is a senior vice president of613policy and political affairs at the American Jewish Committee.614She has helped launch the bipartisan Task Force for615Antisemitism, the Congressional Caucus on Black-Jewish616Relations, and the Congressional Hellenic Israel Alliance.617    Again, thank you to all the witnesses. I will now recognize618you in order. We have your written statements and we appreciate619those. If you can please summarize those in 5 minutes, and620there is a clock to alert you of the timing.621    Mr. Sleeper, you are now recognized for your opening622statement.623624STATEMENT OF KERRY SLEEPER, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INTELLIGENCE AND625         INFORMATION SHARING, SECURE COMMUNITY NETWORK626627    Mr. Sleeper. Chairman Pfluger, Ranking Member Magaziner,628and Members of the subcommittee, thank you. My name is Kerry629Sleeper, and I currently serve as Secure Community Networks'630deputy director of intelligence and information sharing. I631oversee SCN's 24/7 Jewish security operations command center632and lead our intelligence coordination efforts with Federal,633State, and local law enforcement, as well as with our Jewish634communal security partners.635    I sincerely appreciate your invitation to testify on this636critical matter. America's Jewish community is under attack,637and we need to take decisive action to save lives and mitigate638the escalating threats. The threat of targeted violence being639faced by the Jewish community is complex and continues to640evolve. This threat will likely persist for several years.641    As recently as last week, our analysts have observed a642notable increase from foreign terrorist organizations aligned643media that appears to be doubling down on calls for attacks in644the United States and Jewish targets. These groups appear to be645coordinating efforts and amplifying shared narratives to646encouraged these acts of violence.647    These groups are evidently trying to take advantage of the648morbid appeal of the recent attacks in the District of Columbia649and Boulder by violent extremists to incite followers to commit650additional violent acts in retribution for the on-going war in651Gaza.652    These violent trends are fueled by a persistent ecosystem653of anti-Israeli networks operating in the United States and on-654line. Groups such as the Students for Justice in Palestine,655Within Our Lifetime, Unity of Fields, and on-line propaganda656hubs such as the emerging ISNAD network, consistently amplify657messaging aligned with foreign terrorist organizations and658Iranian-backed information operations.659    While not all are directly tied to designated foreign660terrorist organizations, they help blur the lines between661protest and incitement, justifying, glorifying, and promoting662violence against the Jewish or Israeli community in the name of663Gaza.664    Now, I'd like to briefly describe how SCN manages threats665against the Jewish Israeli community. Our analysts work666tirelessly to identify, analyze, and communicate threats to667life directed to the Jewish community found on-line. Threats to668live are defined as threats to kill or maim a victim with the669perpetrator being assessed to have the intent and capability to670carry out the threat.671    Our analysts utilize state-of-the-art technology and672keyword algorithms to search the surface, deep, and dark web673for threats specifically targeting the Jewish community.674    Last year, our analysts identified approximately 500675threats to life that they shared with the FBI's National Threat676Operations Center. This year SCN is on track to surpass 700677threats to life, a 40 percent increase reflecting both a rising678threat environment and the operational demand placed on our679analysts and infrastructure.680    Even these efforts illustrate only a portion of the threats681facing the Jewish community. Following the 21st May shooting682outside the capital Jewish museum in the District of Columbia,683SCN analysts identified approximately 6,000 violent threats684targeting the Jewish community posted on social media in just a6851-week period of time.686    SCN has issued strategic warnings for over a year that the687war in Gaza would have serious domestic implications, including688a surge in anti-Israeli, anti-Jewish, and antisemitic attacks,689many of which have now materialized as our analysts had warned.690    Our analysts assessed that the as the conflict continued,691Jewish and Israeli communities in the United States would face692elevated threats from pro-Palestinian or anti-Israeli violent693extremists.694    Over the past 20 months, every analytic brief SCN has695produced has warned of this rising threat, exacerbated by on-696line incitement from Iranian-linked groups and designated697foreign terrorist organizations, including Hamas, Hezbollah,698al-Qaeda, and ISIS, in which it promoted and justified violence699against Jewish civilians globally under the banner of700retaliation for Israel's military action in Gaza.701    If our adversaries are coordinating their actions, so must702we. We are long overdue for a national strategy to specifically703combat targeted violence against the Jewish community. To date,704our community's front line for defense against these acts have705been nonprofit organizations like the one you see in front of706you, including Jewish communal security organizations.707    While we have done a remarkable job in identifying threats708and to protect our community's facilities and people, we need709to recognize that we have nonprofits operating on donations who710are defending against foreign terrorist organizations and711extremist groups who are constantly pounding the drum beat of712kill the Jews.713    Today's threat to the Jewish community requires a clearly-714defined national strategy that identifies and leverages715resources from Federal, State, and local governments, as well716as Jewish communal security organizations and groups like you717see in front of it today.718    We have seen numerous instances of groups adversarial to719the Jewish community hosting plan documents on how to attack720our community. It's time we had a plan to protect our721community. I would respectfully suggest that this committee,722with your focus on intelligence and counterterrorism and your723demonstrated interest in protecting the Jewish-Israeli724community, would well be positioned to drive the development of725a national strategy.726    Finally, this is the appropriate forum to thank the FBI727fusion centers and our State and local law enforcement partners728across the Nation for their unwavering support and constant729vigilance in protecting the Jewish community in these perilous730times. Thank you.731    [The prepared statement of Mr. Sleeper follows:]732                  Prepared Statement of Kerry Sleeper733                        Wednesday, June 11, 2025734    Dear Chairman Pfluger, Ranking Member Magaziner, and Members of the735subcommittee. My name is Kerry Sleeper, and I currently serve as the736Secure Community Network (SCN)'s deputy director of intelligence and737information sharing. I oversee SCN's 24/7 Jewish Security Operations738Command Center and lead our intelligence coordination efforts with739Federal, State, and local law enforcement, as well as Jewish communal740security partners.741    Prior to my role at SCN, I served as a deputy assistant director742and then assistant director for the FBI for 7 years. My primary role743was to enhance the sharing of counterterrorism threat intelligence744between the FBI and its many partners. Prior to that, I served 30 years745with the Vermont State Police, retiring as the commissioner of public746safety and State homeland security advisor.747    SCN was founded in 2004 under the auspices of The Jewish748Federations of North America and the Conference of Presidents of Major749Jewish Organizations. SCN supports the safety of Jewish communities750across North America. We work with 50 national Jewish partner751organizations, 146 Jewish Federations, and more than 350 independent752communities, in addition to hundreds of law enforcement organizations753and the multifaith community, fostering security collaboration across754public, private, nonprofit, and academic sectors.755    I sincerely appreciate your invitation to testify on this critical756matter. America's Jewish community is under attack, and we need to take757decisive action to save lives and mitigate the escalating threats. My758esteemed colleague from ADL has provided you with the data to allow you759to understand the scope of the threat we face from anti-Israeli760extremist groups. What I would like to do now is describe how we at761SCN, working with key partners, assess, manage, and mitigate the762threat.763    Analysts at SCN's Jewish Security Operations Center work tirelessly764to identify, analyze, and communicate Threats to Life (TTLs) found on-765line. TTLs are defined as threats to kill or maim a victim, with the766perpetrator being assessed to have the intent and capability to carry767out the threat. Our well-trained and talented analysts utilize state-768of-the-art technology and keyword algorithms to search the surface,769deep, and dark web for threats specifically targeting the Jewish/770Israeli community.771    Last year, SCN analysts identified approximately 500 TTLs that they772shared with the FBI's National Threat Operations Center via an API773(Application Programming Interface). The privileged API connection to774the FBI enables real-time transfer of high-priority threat775intelligence, allowing for rapid mitigation by the FBI. This year, SCN776is on track to surpass 700 TTLs, a 40 percent increase, reflecting both777the rising threat environment and the operational demand placed on our778analysts and infrastructure. Our capability to protect the Jewish779community is greatly enhanced by our working relationship with the FBI780at both the Headquarters and Field Office levels.781    SCN's comprehensive threat management process for TTLs is782intentionally redundant to ensure maximum situational awareness. When783our analysts can identify a named subject and/or location, we784simultaneously notify the FBI, DHS, the appropriate State fusion785center, local law enforcement, as well as the appropriate Jewish786security director or regional director in that area of responsibility.787This multi-channeled alerting mechanism ensures comprehensive788coordination across jurisdictions and agencies, and that mitigation789efforts can begin immediately.790    Even these efforts illustrate only a portion of the threats facing791the Jewish community. Following the 21 May shooting outside the Capitol792Jewish Museum in DC, SCN analysts identified approximately 6,000793violent threats targeting the Jewish community posted on social media794in just a 1-week period.795    SCN has issued strategic warnings for over a year that the war in796Gaza would have serious domestic implications, including a surge in797anti-Israeli, anti-Jewish, and antisemitic attacks, many of which have798now materialized as our analysts had warned. Our analysts assessed that799as the conflict continued, Jewish and Israeli communities in the United800States would face elevated threat levels from pro-Palestinian or anti-801Israeli violent extremists. Over the past 20 months, every analytic802brief SCN has produced has warned of this rising threat, exacerbated by803on-line incitement from Iranian-linked groups and designated foreign804terrorist organizations such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and ISIS, which have805promoted and justified violence against Jewish civilians globally under806the banner of retaliation for Israel's military action in Gaza.807    Multiple recent attacks, each with unique perpetrators, nonetheless808shared the same ideological trigger, rage against Israel's military809actions in Gaza channeled into violence against visibly Jewish targets810domestically. The April 13 arson attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh811Shapiro's residence in Harrisburg by Cody Balmer, the murder of Yaron812Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim by Elias Rodriguez outside the Capitol813Jewish Museum on May 21, and the June 1 firebombing attack at a rally814to remember Israeli hostages by Mohammed Soliman all reflect this815pattern. Each attacker framed their actions as retaliation for Israel's816military actions in Gaza.817    These acts did not occur in a vacuum. Across these cases, SCN818analysts identified on-line praise, glorification, and calls for819replication, raising our concern about copycat attacks.820    These trends are fueled by a persistent ecosystem of anti-Israel821networks operating in the United States and on-line. Groups such as the822Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), Within Our Lifetime (WOL),823Unity of Fields, and on-line propaganda hubs such as the emerging ISNAD824Network consistently amplify messaging aligned with Hamas, Hezbollah,825al-Qaeda, ISIS, and Iranian-backed information operations. While not826all are directly tied to designated foreign terrorist organizations,827they help blur the lines between protest and incitement, justifying,828glorifying, and promoting violence against the Jewish community in the829name of Gaza.830    In April of this year, SCN hosted a nationwide Passover threat831brief in conjunction with the National Fusion Center Association and832Jewish security organizations, highlighting our growing concern that833the Gaza conflict was further inflaming domestic radicalization, asking834for enhanced vigilance by law enforcement in light of the increased835likelihood of a targeted violent attack against the community.836    One month later, SCN facilitated another nationwide threat brief in837conjunction with the FBI, Major Cities Police Chiefs Association, and838Jewish security organizations after the shooting outside the Capitol839Jewish Museum in the District of Columbia. We expressed our concerns840that the shooting had the potential to inspire other like-minded841violent extremists to mobilize to violent action against the Jewish842community, a term we refer to as a copycat. Our analysts quickly843observed wide-spread on-line praise of the shooter and the framing of844the attack as a justified act of revenge, and messages encouraging845others to replicate the attack.846    Last week, after the fire-bombing attack in Boulder, SCN again847hosted a nationwide post-critical incident conference call with the848FBI, Major Cities Police Chiefs, Major County Sheriffs of America, the849National Fusion Center Association, and Jewish Security Directors. We850expressed our concern that this was the second targeted attack against851the Jewish/Israeli community in a little over a week. On-line rhetoric852again praised the attacker, further amplifying copycat concerns. Again,853our primary concern was that of copycats inspired by the latest act of854targeted violence against the Jewish-Israeli community.855    Since October 7, SCN has produced and disseminated nearly 200856threat bulletins and intelligence situation reports and has coordinated857numerous national or regional briefings with law enforcement and Jewish858security leaders. These efforts have helped prevent attacks, mobilize859resources, and inform law enforcement. But the pace, scale, and860complexity of the current threat environment are not sustainable861without a robust and sustained Federal partnership.862    SCN's analysts recognized shortly after the 10/7 attacks in Israel863that the Jewish and Israeli community in the United States faced a864rapidly-escalating threat from violent extremists inspired by the war865in Gaza. SCN recognized that help from DHS I&A in understanding,866assessing, and managing the complex threat actors that included Iran,867Foreign Terrorist Organizations, Homegrown Violent Extremists, and868Domestic Violent Extremists, all coalescing around a common vision of869terrorizing the Jewish and Israeli community, could significantly870improve the safety and security of the community.871    On April 1, 2024, SCN requested senior I&A leadership develop a872Current Intelligence Operations Strategy focused specifically on873protecting the Jewish/Israeli community in the homeland in a post-10/7874threat environment. Little materialized from that request. DHS I&A is a875critical component of our domestic intelligence enterprise, we need I&A876to work closely with us to mitigate the threat we are discussing today.877The intelligence strategy we proposed over a year ago would have878specifically focused on protecting the Jewish community with the879development of an analytic cell that would have performed 6 analytic880functions:881    1. Develop and communicate timely awareness from all available882        sources of intelligence, those threats, foreign and domestic,883        that could have an impact on Jewish-Israeli safety and security884        in the homeland.885    2. Rapidly assess those threats for domestic Jewish security886        implications.887    3. The timely communication of those threats to the appropriate888        Federal, State, and local law enforcement, as well as Jewish889        security organizations.890    4. Based on threats, timely dissemination of products, bulletins,891        or advisories should include collection emphasis messages to892        ensure our Federal, State, and local law enforcement, as well893        as Jewish security partners, are collecting against the894        appropriate threats.895    5. A renewed emphasis on Suspicious Activity Reporting and896        collection directed to Federal, State, and local law897        enforcement, recognizing the vulnerability of the Jewish898        community.899    The threat of targeted violence being faced by the Jewish-Israeli900community is complex and continues to evolve; this threat will likely901persist for at least the next decade. This threat facing the Jewish-902Israeli community involves nation-state adversaries (Iran), foreign903terrorist organizations, as well as violent extremists with mixed904ideologies, and requires a comprehensive all-of-government strategy.905The essential work being done by groups like SCN, the Center for906Internet Security (CIS), ADL, and several other Jewish communal907security organizations plays a crucial role in safeguarding Jewish908communities across North America, but we are filling a void left by the909Federal Government's lack of comprehensive focus on this rapidly-910emerging threat. Our key law enforcement partners, like the FBI, fusion911centers, and State and local law enforcement, are working hand-in-hand912with us to protect their Jewish communities, but we all lack a national913strategy. We need a clearly-defined and comprehensive national strategy914to protect the Jewish community from acts of targeted violence. That915strategy should be developed with input from Federal, State, and local916law enforcement as well as non-governmental agencies like SCN, CIS, the917ADL, and our Jewish security partners. Finally that strategy should be918managed by a task force comprised of the above representatives with the919specific focus of identifying and clarifying the threat regardless of920its origin, analyzing the threat for context in the Jewish community,921communicating the threat to law enforcement to law enforcement,922providing suggestions on protective actions to protect the community923based on intelligence, and coordinating strike teams across the country924to arrest individuals threatening the Jewish community with acts of925targeted violence.926    I would respectfully suggest that this committee, with your focus927on intelligence and counterterrorism, and your demonstrated interest in928protecting the Jewish-Israeli community, would be well-positioned to929drive the development of a strategy and implementation of a task force930to protect the Jewish community.931    Thank you.932933    Mr. Pfluger. Thank you, Mr. Sleeper.934    I now recognize Mr. Segal for his opening statement.935936   STATEMENT OF OREN SEGAL, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF COUNTER-937       EXTREMISM AND INTELLIGENCE, ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE938939    Mr. Segal. Chairman Pfluger, Ranking Member Magaziner, and940distinguished Members of the subcommittee, thank you for the941opportunity to testify today. My name is Oren Segal and I serve942as senior vice president of counterextremism and intelligence943at ADL.944    My team works to track, expose, and disrupt extremism,945antisemitism, and hate every single day across the ideological946spectrum on-line and on the ground. I'm here today because the947Jewish community in this country is not just facing elevated948threat, but one of the most diverse and complex threat949landscapes in recent memory. We have experienced a surge in950violent antisemitic attacks included calculated mission-driven951violence.952    In the past 12 months, ADL has documented 9 terror plots or953attacks in the United States motivated by antisemitism, more954than the previous 4 years and a half combined. Three weeks ago,955a young couple was murdered outside the capital Jewish museum956here in Washington, DC. The suspect who reportedly shouted,957``Free Palestine'' after the attack posted a manifesto958rejecting nonviolence.959    Ten days ago in Boulder, an attacker also shouted, ``Free960Palestine'' at a peaceful vigil while attempting to burn his961victims alive with Molotov cocktails and a flamethrower. My962team also uncovered videos posted on Telegram recorded by the963suspect in Boulder before the attack in which he declared that964God is greater than the Zionists, greater than America.965    Two months ago, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's home966was targeted by a fire bomb on the night of his Passover seder.967Each one of these horrific incidents was an attack on the968entire Jewish community.969    As if that's not bad enough, these attacks have been970justified, celebrated, and normalized by groups operating on971American soil, as well as across digital platforms. They fuel972an environment where targeted attacks against the Jewish973community become increasingly likely.974    While the grievances driving the violence are often framed975as opposition to Israel, they frequently include expressions976dehumanizing Jews and Zionists. They also include support for977terror groups. When Jews are blamed for the policies of the978State of Israel it's not only antisemitic. It is dangerous.979    Let me be crystal clear. Criticism of Israel or its980policies is not antisemitism. Mere criticism does not factor981into our data. But when Jewish individuals and institutions are982targeted with protests, vandalism, harassment, and violence983that is classic antisemitism.984    That type of hate has been a driving force behind the surge985of incidents we have documented in the United States,986especially since the October 7 massacre by Hamas. In 2024 ADL987documented over 9,000 antisemitic incidents of assault,988vandalism, and harassment, the highest number we have reported989in 45 years of tracking.990    For the first time the majority of those incidents991referenced Israel or Zionism. On campuses and in cities around992the country, we've seen flags of terrorist organizations993alongside slogans calling for globalizing the Intifada or994bringing the war home.995    On-line platforms like Telegram, among others, enable996foreign terrorist organizations to share and promote their997propaganda to thousands across the United States and around the998globe. Groups like Samidoun, Unity of Fields, and even some999Students for Justice in Palestine chapters have crossed a1000dangerous line amplifying terrorist propaganda. Some of those1001groups are even supported by fiscal sponsors with little1002oversight.1003    The time to act is now and Congress should take the1004following 5 steps.1005    Increase funding for the nonprofit security grant program1006to protect at-risk houses of worship, schools, and community1007centers.1008    Invest in community-based violence prevention, such as1009DHS's CP3.1010    Empower the interagency task force to combat antisemitism,1011ensuring it has a mandate and resources to coordinate across1012Federal agencies.1013    Pass the Antisemitism Awareness Act and the Holocaust1014Education and Antisemitism Lessons Act to strengthen the1015accountability in our education system.1016    Finally, address hate on our digital platforms by enforcing1017transparency and cracking down on violations of material1018support laws.1019    Despite years of warnings and mounting data, antisemitism1020and the violence that it animates continues to be dismissed,1021minimized, and politicized. Too many families are asking the1022ADL is it safe to be Jewish in public?1023    While Jewish communities are strong and resilient, they1024cannot be expected to bear this burden alone. We need leaders1025to condemn antisemitism without hesitation. The Federal1026Government has the tools and the responsibility to act. Thank1027you and I look forward to your questions.1028    [The prepared statement of Mr. Segal follows:]1029                    Prepared Statement of Oren Segal1030                              introduction1031    For more than a century, ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) has1032worked to combat antisemitism and hate in all forms. Today, ADL is a1033global leader in fighting antisemitism, exposing extremism, delivering1034anti-bias education and monitoring and fighting the spread of hate in1035our communities and on-line.1036    On October 7, 2023, the terrorist group Hamas committed mass1037atrocities against thousands of people in Israel, including murder,1038torture, dismemberment, and rape. Hundreds were kidnapped and 56 remain1039hostages in Gaza to this day. In the wake of this massacre--the1040deadliest day for the Jewish community since the Holocaust--1041antisemitism has surged around the world, in our communities, on1042college and university campuses. ADL is devoted to countering these1043trends.1044    The ADL's Center on Extremism (``COE'') is tracking and monitoring1045the latest trends and reactions from extremist groups and movements--1046from groups that are glorifying terrorism as a legitimate form of1047resistance to the white supremacists and others who celebrated Hamas's1048attack on Israel and threatened further violence.1049    COE often provides critical intelligence to law enforcement,1050helping them prevent and respond to hate crimes and antisemitic1051incidents, identify emerging threats and disrupt extremist violence.1052Last week, ADL reached out to law enforcement after our researchers1053discovered that a pro-terror Telegram channel was sharing multiple1054videos purportedly recorded by Mohamed Soliman, the firebombing suspect1055in the Boulder, Colorado attack, in which he affirmed his motivations1056for his alleged assault. This intelligence provided a valuable lead for1057investigators as posts in the Telegram channel claimed to have received1058the videos ``from a private source close to the hero.''1059    Since January 2024, COE's Threat Monitoring Unit has reviewed1060hundreds of thousands of on-line threats. These reviews and other1061investigative efforts generated hundreds of law enforcement alerts that1062were distributed to law enforcement and that were not only followed by1063at least 9 arrests, but other forms of disruptions including gun1064seizures and mental health holds. While the decisions to take these1065actions are law enforcement's alone, we believe the information ADL1066provided assisted them in this process.1067    In addition, the ADL's Center for Technology and Society (``CTS'')1068is conducting on-going research and pushing on-line platforms to ensure1069they are resourcing their trust and safety efforts to meet the moment.1070    ADL's Education team is publishing resources for students,1071teachers, parents, and families regarding antisemitism and the Israeli-1072Palestinian conflict. ADL's International Affairs team is working with1073Jewish communities across the globe to document and combat the spike of1074antisemitism being experienced worldwide. Our National Affairs team is1075helping to drive key policy solutions on campus, in the halls of1076Congress, and with the Executive branch, in close coordination with our1077partners.1078                             current trends1079Antisemitism In The United States1080    We are witnessing a deeply alarming and unacceptable rise in1081violent antisemitic attacks across the United States--acts of violence1082that are increasingly inspired, justified, and celebrated by extreme1083anti-Israel groups operating on American soil.1084    The tragic events in Washington, DC and Boulder, Colorado are not1085isolated. They are part of a disturbing pattern: individuals1086radicalized by extreme rhetoric--including on-line--who then act on1087those views with deadly intent. The targeting of Jewish institutions,1088individuals, and communities is escalating. In the last year alone, ADL1089tracked more violent plots and attacks against Jews in the United1090States than the previous 4\1/2\ years combined.1091    This rising tide of antisemitism--often couched in anti-Zionist1092language and amplified through social media--is a direct threat to1093Jewish Americans and a growing concern for our national security.1094    Since 1979, ADL has compiled an annual Audit of Antisemitic1095Incidents (``the Audit'') that includes both criminal and non-criminal1096acts of harassment and intimidation, including distribution of hate1097propaganda, threats, and slurs, as well as acts of vandalism and1098assault.1099    In 2024, ADL tabulated 9,354 antisemitic incidents. This is the1100highest number on record since ADL began tracking antisemitic incidents110145 years ago. It also represents a 5 percent increase from the previous1102year, a 344 percent increase over the past 5 years, and an almost 9001103percent increase over the past decade.1104    For the first time in the history of the Audit, a majority (581105percent) of all incidents contained elements related to Israel or1106Zionism in 2024. Many of these incidents took place at anti-Israel1107rallies, where protesters' messaging crossed the line into1108antisemitism: glorifying antisemitic violence, supporting designated1109terrorist organizations like Hamas, and calling for the annihilation of1110Israel. Out of more than 5,000 anti-Israel protests tracked by ADL,11112,596 involved antisemitic elements or incidents in the form of chants,1112signs, or speeches. The remaining protests--for which we could not1113confirm if they contained documented expressions of antisemitism--were1114not included in the Audit.1115    Antisemitic incidents at colleges and universities were up 841116percent last year--a particularly steep rise. These made up nearly 1 in11175 cases nationwide, with around 1,700 incidents. Campus antisemitism1118extended far beyond the highly-publicized protests, with Jewish1119students and faculty experiencing direct verbal harassment, targeted1120vandalism, and even physical violence.1121    While incidents decreased slightly (-14 percent) at Jewish1122institutions, they remained elevated compared to pre-October 7, 20231123levels (189 percent higher in 2024 than in 2022). Jewish organizations,1124particularly synagogues, were targeted with hundreds of bomb threats.1125Congregants were harassed and even assaulted while at or in the1126vicinity of Jewish institutions, and some anti-Israel groups escalated1127their tactics, protesting Jewish religious and cultural institutions on1128dozens of occasions.1129    Criticism of Israel or its policies is not antisemitism. Mere1130criticism does not factor into our data. But when Jewish individuals1131and institutions are blamed for Israeli policy--and targeted with1132protests, vandalism, harassment, or violence--that is classic1133antisemitism. Glorifying Hamas terrorists, calling for the eradication1134of Israel, or targeting Jewish individuals and institutions under the1135guise of anti-Zionism--that is antisemitism.1136            Recent Violence1137    A June 5, 2025 DHS, FBI, DOJ, NCTC Joint Intelligence Bulletin1138announced a continuing threat to Israeli and Jewish institutions and1139their supporters and advised security partners to remain vigilant for1140threats.1141    Since January 2020, COE has documented 16 terrorist plots or1142attacks targeting Jews, Zionists, or Jewish institutions in the United1143States. Notably, 9 of those incidents occurred within just the past1144year (July 2024 to June 2025), marking a sharp increase compared to the11457 incidents recorded over the previous 54 months (January 2020 to June11462024).1147    The Jewish community has experienced a surge of antisemitic1148violence in recent weeks. The 3 attacks that occurred in the past 21149months--including 2 less than 2 weeks apart--are part of a concerning1150trend of violent anti-Israel and anti-Zionist rhetoric becoming violent1151action.1152    On April 13, 2025, Cody Balmer allegedly broke into Pennsylvania1153Governor Josh Shapiro's residence in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and set1154multiple fires. He then called 9-1-1, referred to Shapiro as a1155``monster'' and blamed him for Palestinian deaths in the Israel-Hamas1156war.1157    On May 21, 2025, Israeli Embassy staffers Yaron Lischinsky and1158Sarah Milgrim were shot and killed as they were leaving an AJC1159(American Jewish Committee) Young Diplomats event at the Capital Jewish1160Museum in Washington, DC. As suspect Elias Rodriguez was taken into1161custody, he shouted, ``Free, free Palestine.'' In the immediate1162aftermath of the shooting, the COE researchers connected Rodriguez,1163with a high degree of certainty, to an X account and an apparent1164manifesto which outlined the reasons for the attack.1165    The X posts and the text of Rodriguez's alleged manifesto--which1166was shared under the heading ``Escalate For Gaza, Bring The War Home,''1167slogans commonly used by anti-Israel activists, particularly in more1168extreme, militant spaces--reflect an apparent trajectory of1169radicalization since Hamas's October 7, 2023 terror attack on Israel.1170Extreme anti-Israel sentiments shared on X over the past 20 months1171include content praising U.S.-designated terror organizations and their1172leaders, declaring ``Death To Israel,'' and calling a Jewish individual1173a ``zionazi [sic].''1174    In the manifesto posted on the X account on the night of the1175shooting, the author stated that non-violent protests against Israel's1176actions in Gaza have been insufficient and included a section about1177``the morality of armed demonstration,'' concluding that in 2025, armed1178action seems like ``the only sane thing to do'' to protest Israel.1179    Less than 2 weeks after the D.C. shooting, on June 1, 2025 in1180Boulder, Colorado, there was a targeted attack on a ``Run for Their1181Lives'' event--a weekly gathering organized by the local Jewish1182community to raise awareness for the remaining hostages held in Gaza by1183Hamas. Suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman allegedly used a makeshift1184flamethrower and Molotov cocktails to injure at least 15 people.1185    Soliman indicated his motive for the attack in comments made at the1186scene and in subsequent interviews with law enforcement, including1187yelling ``Free Palestine'' during the attack and later stating ``We1188have to end Zionists.'' He also said he wanted to ``kill all Zionist1189people and wished they were all dead.'' Soliman told law enforcement1190that he intentionally targeted the ``Zionist Group'' and had been1191planning the attack for a year. He also stated that he previously tried1192to purchase a gun, but resorted to the firebombs because he was1193prevented from buying a firearm due to his immigration status in the1194United States.1195    Increasingly since Hamas's antisemitic October 7 attack, the word1196``Zionist''--someone who believes in the Jewish people's right to self-1197determination--has come to be used as a slur among anti-Israel1198activists, commentators, and antisemites across the political spectrum,1199and as a codeword for a Jewish or Israeli person (or anyone deemed1200supportive) often with dehumanizing comparisons or calls for harm. This1201language can be used to obscure antisemitic actions and rhetoric: the1202vast majority of Jews around the world feel a connection to Israel, so1203attempts to disparage or target ``Zionists'' are, in practice,1204targeting Jews. Rodriguez's and Soliman's violent actions show where1205this harmful rhetoric can lead.1206    Other terrorist plots and attacks targeting Jews, Zionists, or1207Jewish institutions since 2022 include:1208    December 28, 2024. Gainesville, Florida.--The FBI arrested Forrest1209Pemberton of Gainesville, Florida and subsequently charged him in a1210plot to travel to the south Florida offices of the American Israel1211Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a pro-Israel advocacy group, with the1212intent of harming people there, possibly in a suicide attack.1213    December 17, 2024. Fairfax, Virginia.--FBI agents arrested an1214Egyptian citizen and George Mason University student, Abdullah Ezzeldin1215Taha Mohamed Hassan, and charged him with plotting to perpetrate a mass1216casualty attack at the Israeli consulate in New York City.1217    October 26, 2024, Chicago, Illinois.--Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi1218allegedly shot a Jewish man walking to his synagogue and then opened1219fire on responding police and paramedics. Local authorities later filed1220felony hate crime and terrorism charges against Abdallahi, saying that1221evidence from his phone indicated that the suspect planned the shooting1222and intentionally sought to target Jews. Abdallahi was found dead of1223apparent suicide in his jail cell in November 2024.1224    September 4, 2024, New York, New York.--As part of a two-country1225investigation, Canadian authorities arrested a Pakistani citizen,1226Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, while he was trying to cross the border into the1227United States, allegedly as part of a planned mass shooting against a1228Jewish target in New York to support ISIS.1229    August 14, 2024, Orlando, Florida.--Hashem Younis Hashem Hnaihen, a1230Jordanian citizen, was arrested in August 2024, on suspicion that he1231sought to target businesses that he believed were supportive of Israel.1232Hnaihen pled guilty on December 20, 2024, to 4 counts of threatening to1233use explosives and one count of destruction of an energy facility.1234    July 16, 2024, New York, New York.--Federal authorities charged1235Michail Chkhikvishvili, a citizen of the Nation of Georgia, with1236soliciting hate crimes and mass violence. According to authorities,1237Chkhikvishvili attempted to recruit others to poison Jewish children1238and commit a mass casualty attack in New York City. He also allegedly1239encouraged bombings, arson, and poisonings against Jews, racial1240minorities, and homeless people.1241    November 29, 2023, Las Vegas.--Police officers arrested a 17-year-1242old Las Vegas resident on incendiary device and terrorism charges after1243the teenager allegedly announced to an on-line group of ISIS supporters1244that he was about to begin ``lone wolf operations'' in Las Vegas1245against ``the enemies of Allah,'' promising to ``make sure the zionists1246[sic]'' would know he was a supporter of the Islamic State. A search of1247his home reportedly discovered explosive components, bomb-making1248manuals and evidence suggesting he was considering different attacks1249and targets.1250    November 18, 2022. New York, New York.--Authorities arrested white1251supremacist Christopher Brown and, in November 2024, he pleaded guilty1252and was sentenced to 10 years in State prison for possessing a firearm1253as part of a plan to ``shoot up'' a Manhattan synagogue. His1254accomplice, Matthew Mahrer, was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for1255helping Brown procure and hide the firearm.1256    June 17, 2022. Struthers, Ohio.--Alerted by the FBI, police in1257Struthers, Ohio, arrested a teenager livestreaming a video in which he1258allegedly announced he was going to kill his father and take his van,1259then shoot at Black people before conducting a mass shooting at a1260synagogue. Police allegedly found 2 handguns that had racist and1261antisemitic symbols and messages on them, as well as a document1262variously described as a journal and a manifesto. The teen admitted to1263police that he was a white supremacist. He has been charged with1264terrorist threats, domestic violence, inducing panic and threatening1265violence, and possessing criminal tools.1266    June 10, 2022. Brookhaven, New York.--Authorities arrested Matthew1267Belanger in Long Island, New York, on weapons charges. Prosecutors say1268Belanger was a white supremacist who, while a Marine, plotted to attack1269a synagogue in New York, as well as to engage in homicide and sexual1270assault--he allegedly planned to rape white women to increase the1271number of white children. Belanger was allegedly a member of the1272accelerationist white supremacist group Rapekrieg.1273    January 15, 2022. Colleyville, Texas.--British citizen Malik Faisal1274Akram took 4 people hostage at Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in1275Colleyville, Texas, claiming to have weapons and bombs. He subsequently1276demanded that suspected al-Qaeda courier Aafia Siddiqui be released1277from the nearby Federal prison where she was being held. After a day-1278long ordeal, the hostages were able to escape the building, and Akram1279was killed by law enforcement. Akram apparently chose the location1280because, he claimed, ``America only cares about Jewish lives.''1281Antisemitism On-Line1282    Violent rhetoric on-line has turned into violent action in our1283streets. The attacks on the Jewish community in Washington, DC and1284Boulder, Colorado, have in turn been celebrated on-line and even used1285to encourage further violence.1286    Following both the D.C. and Boulder attacks, numerous anti-Zionist1287groups and influencers glorified the suspects and justified their1288violent actions. Other antisemites and extremists also seized the1289opportunity to promote antisemitic and conspiratorial reactions.1290Prominent groups and leaders who condemned the attacks were met with1291significant criticism or mockery from large segments of the anti-1292Zionist movement.1293    Additionally, data collected by COE suggests that people react to1294these violent physical world attacks by engaging in on-line1295antisemitism. In the 7 days following the D.C. attack, ADL documented a1296344 percent surge in the number of daily antisemitic threats on1297Telegram. These responses followed a predictable pattern, as COE1298research has previously shown that acts of violence against Jews and1299Israelis, such as Hamas's October 7 attack, can lead to noticeable1300upticks in violent antisemitic discourse and threats on Telegram.1301    D.C. shooting suspect Elias Rodriguez was cheered by various1302extreme anti-Zionist groups, such as the New York-based Bronx Anti-War1303Coalition, which wrote on X, ``What Elias Rodriguez did is the highest1304expression of anti-Zionism,'' and added on Telegram, ``We need more1305Elias Rodriguez in the world.'' MontCo for Palestine, a Pennsylvania-1306based anti-Israel group that has a history of pro-terror rhetoric,1307posted a similarly supportive statement on Instagram that read, in1308part: ``The question is not whether violence against the architects of1309this horror is justified. The question, searing and inescapable, is why1310there hasn't been more of it.'' United Liberation Front for Palestine,1311a California-based, far-left anti-Zionist group, shared a post about1312the shooting on its Instagram account and added the caption, ``MAY ALL1313ZIONISTS BURN.''1314    Rodriguez's alleged manifesto was turned into a printable,1315distributable zine by multiple anti-Zionist groups. One such example1316was created and shared by Unity of Fields, a far-left anti-Zionist1317network that supports the targeting of ``Zionist'' individuals and1318institutions, which reproduced Rodriguez's words in a zine that also1319included prominent imagery of a gun. The group also made printable1320stickers depicting Rodriguez and the slogan, ``Courage is contagious,''1321a call for further violence. In a series of posts online, Unity of1322Fields repeatedly affirmed its support for Rodriguez.1323    Familiar responses followed the Boulder firebombing, with many1324anti-Zionists justifying suspect Mohamed Soliman's alleged actions and1325downplaying the antisemitic violence. Language equating the victims1326with ``Nazis'' and the hostage awareness event with a ``Nazi rally''1327was shared by various users, a common rhetorical tactic among anti-1328Zionist activists that was also widespread after the D.C. shooting.1329    As with the D.C. shooting, right-wing extremists and other1330conspiracy theorists again seized on the Boulder violence to promote1331their own antisemitic beliefs. Many claimed that both attacks were a1332``false flag'' or a ``Jew hoax'' intended to make Jews and Israel look1333sympathetic, tighten relations between Israel and the United States,1334rationalize going to war with Iran, or justify measures cracking down1335on antisemitic hate speech or dissent regarding the Israel-Hamas war.1336    Arabic-language accounts have also shared positive commentary about1337the recent violence, particularly the Boulder attack. Videos allegedly1338recorded by Soliman shortly before the Boulder attack began circulating1339as antisemitic pro-terror propaganda on Telegram the day after the1340firebombing. The videos were shared in the antisemitic, Arabic-language1341and pro-terror Telegram channel, Taufan al-Ummah--a channel whose name1342translates to ``Flood of the Ummah,'' a reference to the Al-Aqsa Flood,1343Hamas's name for its October 7, 2023 terror attack on Israel.1344    The channel, which has 30,000 followers, encourages violence in the1345name of the destruction of Israel, including praising Elias Rodriguez1346and lauding Hamas operations both in the West Bank and against civilian1347targets within Israel. On June 2, 2025, moderators of the channel1348shared the 2 videos allegedly recorded by Soliman in the ``last moments1349before carrying out the attack on the Zionist dogs in America,'' an1350apparent reference to his attack in Boulder. They claim to have1351received the videos ``from a private source close to the hero.''1352    Beyond D.C. and Boulder, antisemitism driven by extreme anti-1353Zionist sentiment has proliferated on-line since October 7 across1354platforms. Influential accounts and channels play a significant role in1355disseminating extreme antisemitic and conspiratorial content. One such1356example is Resistance News Network (RNN), a radical antisemitic, anti-1357Zionist English-language Telegram channel that shares violent content1358of attacks on Israelis and provides English translations of communiques1359and propaganda from U.S.-designated terror groups. RNN content is often1360shared by anti-Israel groups, including influential groups like1361Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Unity of Fields (UoF).1362            Bias in digital spaces1363    It is no question that digital spaces--AI learning models, social1364media, video games and their adjacent platforms--are contributing to1365the surge in antisemitism, allowing it to spread and become normalized.1366Meta just this year decided to limit its proactive enforcement against1367hate speech. ADL research has also found that Large Language Models, or1368LLMs, show signs of anti-Israel and antisemitic biases.1369    Wikipedia.--Wikipedia has inadequate enforcement tools and policies1370to prevent antisemitic bias. ADL examined how 30 volunteer editors have1371been able to insert anti-Israel and antisemitic bias into pages on1372contested topics. Wikipedia is an important tool for web searches and1373training AI models, making antisemitic bias in its contested topics a1374critical issue that warrants policymaker attention.1375    Large Language Models (LLMS).--Many major LLMs show signs of1376antisemitic and anti-Israel bias in their responses. ADL tested1377products from Google, Meta, Anthropic, and OpenAI; all showed that they1378have a long way to go before they can be a trusted resource for users1379on these topics. For example, the question that Meta's Llama LLM1380performed most egregiously on was whether or not it agreed with the1381great replacement conspiracy theory. With LLMs poised to play an1382important role in both our economy and our educational systems, these1383companies need to take responsibility and do better. Companies need to1384formulate more effective standards, make those standards public, and1385hold themselves and the industry accountable.1386    Trust and Safety Features.--In January 2025, Meta decided to loosen1387content restrictions on its platforms (Instagram, Threads, Facebook,1388WhatsApp), thus allowing hate and antisemitism to flourish with little1389to no consequence. ADL researchers showed that when Meta rolled back1390its automated removal of hate speech, antisemitic comments on the1391Facebook posts of Jewish Members of Congress soared. Similarly, X has1392shown lax enforcement. ADL researchers identified a manifesto that can1393be attributed with a high degree of certainty to Elias Rodriguez still1394available on the platform on June 6, more than 2 weeks after the D.C.1395attack.1396    In another alarming trend, Meta is not hiding that they are taking1397action on less ``violent and incitement content.'' Meta's data shows1398that they acted on 8.7 million pieces of ``violent or incitement''1399content from January to March 2024 and only 3.4 million pieces of1400content in the same category January-March 2025. In a time where both1401on-line and off-line antisemitism are surging, intentionally allowing1402more violent content on platforms would be deeply troubling.1403    Extremism in On-line Gaming.--Antisemitism and extremism in digital1404spaces--such as on-line video games--is experienced by millions of1405Americans. ADL researchers found that when people playing video games1406publicly identified themselves as a member of a marginalized group,1407they experienced far more hate. On-line video game companies should be1408held to the same--or higher standards--than ``legacy'' social media1409companies that receive far more attention from policy makers.1410    Governments have an important role in reducing on-line1411antisemitism, hate, harassment, and extremism, which have become all1412too commonplace. The proliferation of on-line hate has resulted in the1413normalization of this abusive behavior and the degradation of our1414democracy and public safety, including through the suppression and1415silencing of diverse voices and the glorification of hateful rhetoric1416and violent extremist acts. Crucially, on-line antisemitism, hate,1417harassment, and extremism may incite off-line violence, including1418copycat acts of domestic terrorism.1419Threats From Foreign and Domestic Actors1420            Domestic Extremism and Terrorism1421    In addition to the 9 terrorist plots and attacks over the past1422year, antisemitic and anti-Zionist actors have been arrested for a1423range of incidents and hate crimes, including assault, possession of1424illegal weapons and destructive devices, plots to harm other1425marginalized communities, solicitation of murder, and destruction of1426energy facilities.1427    May 7, 2025, New York, New York.--Prosecutors indicted Tarek1428Bazrouk for allegedly assaulting Jewish Americans multiple times in New1429York during pro-Israel rallies. According to law enforcement,1430``Bazrouk's phone was also littered with pro-Hamas and pro-Hezbollah1431propaganda, showing his support for organizations that have murdered1432thousands of Jews and Israelis.''1433    April 23, 2025, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.--A Federal grand jury1434returned a superseding indictment against 3 Pittsburgh residents,1435Mohamad Hamad, Tayla Lubit, and Micaiah Collins, on charges of1436conspiracy, defacing and damaging religious property (Chabad of1437Squirrel Hill) in July 2024, and making false statements. The1438indictment alleges that during this same period, Hamad and Collins1439manufactured and possessed destructive devices.1440    March 10, 2025, Brentwood, California.--Noah Kanaye Bauer was1441arrested in September 2024 after allegedly bringing a 3D-printed pistol1442to a grocery store and charged federally in March 2025 for allegedly1443possessing a machine gun conversion device. A judge ordered him held1444without bail after prosecutors cited his on-line history of1445antisemitic, racist, and extremist content, including Chat-GPT1446inquiries about Jews, guns, and past mass attackers. He reportedly1447expressed antisemitic beliefs during police interviews, stating that1448Jews control American politics, own the porn industry, and are ``kind-1449of ruining the country.''1450    January 27, 2025, Crescent, Pennsylvania.--According to a press1451release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Aiden Andrew Harding was1452indicted by a Federal grand jury on a charge of possession of material1453depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor. During a February1454detention hearing, evidence was introduced demonstrating that Harding1455had antisemitic and violent extremist ideologies and had posted on-line1456about his interest in ``political and revenge-driven'' mass casualty1457events, like the attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.1458    January 4, 2025, Beverly Massachusetts.--Matthew Scouras, who1459allegedly had an illegal cache of guns and a Nazi flag in his home, was1460arrested after posting on-line threats to rape Jewish women and1461inciting others to shoot people outside of synagogues. He has been1462charged with multiple firearm charges and threats to destroy a place of1463worship.1464    December 18, 2024, Stewart County, Tennessee.--The FBI arrested1465Gunner Joseph Fisher for plotting a mass murder at a Nashville mosque.1466Fisher, who reportedly admired other mass shooters with white1467supremacist Brenton Tarrant being his favorite, was charged with1468communicating a threat to commit mass violence. According to the1469criminal complaint, the FBI discovered a video on Fisher's phone1470showing him railing and using slurs against Jews and Muslims and quotes1471him as saying, ``And I, Gunner Joseph Fisher, am going to take care of1472them both.''1473    December 7, 2024, Laguna Beach, California.--Nicholas Tasooji was1474arrested for assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly ramming his1475car into an Israeli man in front of a nightclub. Tasooji and other1476assailants were allegedly involved in an argument with the victim and1477his friends. One of the assailants reportedly yelled slurs and1478attempted to block the victim and his friends from entering a taxi.1479Tasooji then allegedly entered his car and rammed the victim with it,1480causing serious injury.1481    November 5, 2024, Washington, DC.--Austin Martin Olson, of1482Westland, Michigan, was arrested after he allegedly walked into the1483U.S. Capitol with a flare gun, torch lighter, bottles of fuel and a1484letter he said he intended to deliver to the U.S. Congress. Olson was1485apprehended while trying to go through the visitor center screening1486process, after Capitol Police noticed he smelled like fuel and spotted1487suspicious items in the X-ray machine. He has been charged with1488possession of a prohibited weapon, unlawful activities, and disorderly1489conduct. ADL analysts found that Olson had an on-line history that1490included a range of antisemitic, anti-Israel, and anti-Government1491views.1492    October 31, 2024, Margate, Florida.--John Lapinski was arrested on1493Federal charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and1494possessing an unregistered gun suppressor. Police responding to a1495report of shots fired found firearms and spent shell casings. With a1496judge's approval, a search of the home found multiple firearms, body1497armor, smoke grenades, suspected silencers, and a clipboard containing1498a list of ``targets'' including a synagogue, a Jewish cemetery, and a1499Jewish sandwich shop. Lapinski pleaded guilty on April 23, 2025 to1500weapons-related charges, including possession of a firearm by a1501convicted felon.1502    September 9, 2024, Elk Grove, California.--Federal authorities1503indicted 2 leaders of the on-line white supremacist group known as the1504Terrorgram Collective on numerous charges, including solicitation of1505murder of a Federal official, solicitation of a hate crime and1506conspiracy to provide material support for terrorism. Arrested were1507Dallas Erin Humber and Matthew Robert Allison. Terrorgram publications1508frequently demonize Jews and other marginalized communities and glorify1509violence committed against these communities. The collective's1510propaganda included a list of ``high-value targets'' for assassination,1511many of whom are Jewish.1512    August 29, 2024, Yonkers, New York.--Ahmed Al Jabali was arrested1513for allegedly stabbing a Jewish man at his barber shop in Yonkers.1514According to the victim, Al Jabali shouted, ``I want to kill you, you1515[expletive] Jew,'' then stabbed the barber with a pair of scissors1516several times. Al Jabali allegedly shouted several more antisemitic and1517anti-Israel comments during the attack. He was charged with attempted1518murder as a hate crime. On May 29, 2025, Al Jabali pled guilty to1519second-degree assault as a hate crime and was sentenced to 6 years in1520prison and 3 years of supervised release.1521    August 10, 2024, Brooklyn, New York.--Vincent Sumpter allegedly1522carried out a stabbing attack in front of the headquarters of the1523Chabad-Lubavich movement in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn.1524Sumpter allegedly yelled, ``Free Palestine'' and ``Do you want to1525die?'' at the victim, a member of the Orthodox Jewish community, before1526stabbing him in the chest. Sumpter was charged with second-degree1527assault as a hate crime.1528    July 10, 2024, Newark, New Jersey.--Federal agents arrested Andrew1529Takhistov at Newark Liberty International Airport, charging him with1530soliciting the destruction of energy facilities. He reportedly said1531that his ``ultimate dream'' was to use a rocket to attack a synagogue.1532    June 11, 2024, Prescott, Arizona.--Mark Adams Prieto was indicted1533on Federal firearms charges in connection with an alleged plot to1534conduct a mass shooting against Black people at a rap concert to incite1535a race war before the 2024 Presidential election. Prieto also allegedly1536discussed other targets, such as Jews or Muslims.1537    May 29, 2024, Brooklyn, New York.--Asghar Ali was arrested after1538allegedly attempting to ram several Orthodox Jewish men with his car by1539a yeshiva in the Canarsie neighborhood. Ali reportedly shouted1540antisemitic slurs during the attack. He was charged with 10 crimes,1541including attempted murder as a hate crime.1542            Terrorist Symbols and Support for Terror Groups at Anti-1543                    Israel Demonstrations1544    Activity at or surrounding anti-Israel protests frequently crosses1545the line into antisemitism through a number of concerning expressions.1546    Protesters have consistently displayed justification or1547glorification of antisemitic violence, including framing terror attacks1548against Israel and the Jewish community as justified ``resistance.''1549Many openly express support for U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist1550Organizations (FTOs)--including Hamas, Hezbollah, Popular Front for the1551Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and the1552Houthis--by cheering on their actions in speeches, glorifying them on1553signs held at protests, and waving flags or wearing headbands featuring1554their logos.1555    These pro-terror expressions are not limited to a few individuals1556on the sidelines of rallies. Rather, in numerous cities and towns1557across the country, references to these terrorist groups and their1558violent actions have been proudly embraced and amplified.1559    Protesters have celebrated the anniversary of Hamas's antisemitic1560October 7, 2023 terror attack on Israel and glorified the terrorist1561group leaders who masterminded the attack. Protesters have frequently1562used imagery that implies support for terror, including the inverted1563red triangle, a symbol popularized by Hamas to mark targets, or images1564of paraglider, a reference to Hamas's use of paragliders to infiltrate1565Israel during its October 7, 2023 attack.1566    Anti-Israel protesters often glorify and celebrate notorious1567individual terrorists, both on-line and on the ground since the October15687 attack. These expressions are particularly visible following the1569assassinations of major terror figures, such as Hamas leader Yahya1570Sinwar in October 2024, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in September15712024, and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in July 2024. Other notorious1572terrorists often venerated by anti-Israel protesters include Abu1573Obaida, spokesperson for Hamas's military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-1574Qassam Brigades, and Leila Khaled, a longtime active PFLP leader who is1575well-known for her role in the hijacking of 2 civilian airliners in15761969 and 1970.1577    Many protests feature rhetoric widely interpreted as a call to1578destroy Israel through slogans like ``Death to Israel'' or ``From the1579river to the sea, Palestine will be free,'' alongside rhetoric1580explicitly marginalizing Jews with a connection to Israel, such as,1581``We don't want no Zionists here.'' Classic antisemitic tropes are also1582often seen at anti-Israel protests. These include imagery referencing1583blood libel, conspiracy theories about ``Zionist media'' manipulation1584and equating swastikas with Stars of David--a direct attack on Jewish1585religious symbols.1586            Anti-Israel Groups1587    There are numerous anti-Israel groups in the United States that1588espouse a range of views that stretch beyond legitimate political1589criticism of the State of Israel and cross into antisemitism. Prominent1590groups include Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and the Party1591for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), which in 2024 were the 2 most1592active organizers or co-sponsors of anti-Israel protests where1593antisemitic incidents occurred based on ADL's 2024 Audit of Antisemitic1594Incidents.1595    Other notable anti-Zionist groups who frequently organize protests1596at which antisemitic incidents occurred include Jewish Voice for Peace1597(JVP), the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), the Democratic Socialists1598of America (DSA), Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), American1599Muslims for Palestine (AMP), the ANSWER Coalition, the US Palestinian1600Community Network (USPCN) and the Freedom Road Socialist Organization1601(FRSO).1602    There are also a number of particularly radical, localized groups1603that consistently advocate for anti-Israel activists to escalate their1604tactics, including by engaging in violence, vandalism, and other so-1605called ``direct actions.'' These groups include Within Our Lifetime1606(WOL), Unity of Fields (UoF), Bronx Anti-War Coalition and others.1607Although the membership or physical footprint of these groups is not as1608large as some of the other organizations in the anti-Israel movement,1609they have an outsized influence when it comes to disseminating extreme1610rhetoric, including content that is shared on-line and directly impacts1611strategies used on the ground.1612    Below is a brief overview of some of the most notable anti-Israel1613groups in the United States:1614    Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) is the most prominent and1615active anti-Israel and anti-Zionist student group on college campuses1616in the United States, consisting of some 275 chapters across the1617country. SJP has been a central organizing node for anti-Israel rallies1618both on and off campus--including the wide-spread student encampment1619trend in 2024, which saw a surge in antisemitic incidents and sentiment1620on campuses and extreme demands to dismantle or severely limit1621essential Jewish communal and academic infrastructure at universities.1622    SJP chapters have also been proponents of ``escalation'' tactics1623like occupying buildings, engaging in vandalism, disrupting operations,1624blocking access to public spaces, among other such actions. In their1625published materials and social media posts, SJP has encouraged ``not1626just slogans and rallies, but armed confrontation with oppressors'' in1627Israel. Some chapters have explicitly endorsed violence and attacks on1628civilians. The group has also called for chapters to bring this1629resistance to the United States by ``dismantling Zionism'' on its1630campuses and ``challenging Zionist hegemony.''1631    Although many SJP chapters state that they reject antisemitism,1632they regularly demonize Jewish students who identify as Zionists,1633despite that a connection to the State of Israel is an important part1634of many Jews' religious or cultural identities. SJP's insistence that1635one cannot be a good Jew while still being a Zionist is a blatant1636effort to constrain the Jewish identities of their fellow students and1637can turn campuses into hostile places for Jewish students. These groups1638make no distinction between criticism of Israeli government policies1639and the very existence of the State of Israel.1640    National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP) and some1641individual SJP chapters have hailed and defended Hamas's October 71642attack. Many chapters have shared explicit pro-Hamas or other FTO1643rhetoric on social media, including through the promotion of FTO1644statements and images featuring members of FTOs, at times with weapons.1645SJP has encouraged ``not just slogans and rallies, but armed1646confrontation with oppressors'' in Israel. Some chapters have1647explicitly endorsed violence and attacks on civilians. The group has1648also called for chapters to bring this resistance to the United States1649by ``dismantling Zionism'' on its campuses and ``challenging Zionist1650hegemony.''1651    The Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) is an anti-capitalist1652socialist party in the United States that was established in 2004 when1653its members splintered from the Workers World Party. PSL advocates for1654socialism to replace capitalism and incorporates extreme anti-Zionism1655as a core part of its organizing platform. PSL has dozens of affiliated1656chapters nationwide and regularly collaborates with leading1657organizations in the United States anti-Israel movement. Its activities1658include organizing protests and nominating candidates for local and1659Federal elections.1660    PSL frequently expresses extreme anti-Zionist and pro-terror views.1661In the first 18 months after Hamas's October 7, 2023, terror attack on1662Israel, for example, PSL sponsored or co-sponsored over 1,700 anti-1663Israel rallies around the United States; the majority of these rallies1664featured antisemitic rhetoric, including expressions of support for1665Hamas's attack, belligerent calls to ``smash Zionism,'' paraphernalia1666of U.S.-designated terror groups and more.1667    Washington, DC, shooting suspect Elias Rodriguez was previously1668affiliated with PSL, as well as its frequent collaborator, ANSWER1669Coalition, and participated in multiple PSL and ANSWER protests in1670Chicago from late 2017 through early 2018. After the shooting and1671Rodriguez's past affiliation came to light, PSL attempted to distance1672itself from Rodriguez.1673    Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM) is an anti-Zionist activist1674organization with chapters across the United States and Canada. PYM1675frequently organizes protests and other events, often in partnership1676with groups like Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Jewish1677Voice for Peace (JVP). PYM consistently promotes extreme antisemitic1678rhetoric online and on the ground, including expressing support for1679U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).1680    PYM frequently engages in inflammatory rhetoric about Zionism,1681including calls to stigmatize and ban Zionists from community spaces.1682PYM often uses slogans and imagery which both demonize Zionism and1683Zionists and bring to mind classic antisemitic tropes. For example, a1684PYM banner frequently seen at Washington, DC-area rallies after the1685October 7 massacre reads, ``Zionism is fascism, Colonizers out of DC,''1686with imagery of a fist holding a snake's tongue. Similar snake imagery1687is also frequently used on PYM posters and banners nationwide alongside1688the slogan, ``Unity in confronting Zionism.'' To mark the anniversary1689of Hamas's October 7 attack, PYM shared created graphics depicting1690scenes from the attack, including of a Palestinian man standing atop an1691Israeli military vehicle after Hamas broke through the border fence,1692that were widely disseminated throughout the anti-Israel movement1693nationwide.1694    Within Our Lifetime--United for Palestine (WOL) is a New York-1695based, radical anti-Israel organization founded in 2015 that routinely1696expresses support for violence against Israel and calls for the1697abolition of Zionism. Since Hamas's October 7 attack, WOL and its co-1698founder and leader Nerdeen Kiswani have continued to share extreme1699anti-Zionist and antisemitic positions on social media and at anti-1700Israel protests as well as in webinars and reports.1701    Some of the most heinous antisemitic rhetoric and incidents seen in1702New York City since October 7 have been perpetrated by WOL supporters1703and members, including vociferously demanding the expulsion of Zionists1704from New York society. Since October 7, WOL has hosted or co-sponsored1705dozens of anti-Israel rallies many of which included explicit support1706for violence against Israeli civilians by U.S.-designated Foreign1707Terrorist Organizations and affiliated individuals. WOL also expressed1708enthusiastic support for Iran's unprecedented April 13, 2024, drone-1709and-missile attack on Israel.1710    Unity of Fields (UoF), formerly Palestine Action U.S., is a radical1711far-left, anti-Zionist ``direct action network'' that engages in calls1712for violence against those it considers supportive of Israel or1713Zionism, or ``complicit'' in Israel's alleged actions, and promotes1714aggressive, targeted protests and the defacement of property belonging1715to Jewish and non-Jewish organizations and individuals. It has claimed1716``direct actions'' of vandalism and disruption to U.S. sites belonging1717to a leading Israeli weapons maker and has endorsed and publicized such1718acts against Jewish targets like a synagogue and businesses owned by1719Jews.1720    Unity of Fields openly celebrates the October 7, 2023, massacre and1721other terror attacks against Israelis and is explicitly supportive of1722terror organizations and terror group leaders. The group also supports1723violence committed against ``Zionists'' worldwide, and justified the1724murders of the young couple later identified as 2 Israeli Embassy staff1725members at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, on May 21 2025.1726It also encouraged further violence in response to that attack.1727    Unity of Fields' stated mission is disrupting and ``dismantling1728zionism [sic] and U.S. imperialism'' through ``militant direct1729actions.''1730            Funding of Anti-Israel Groups1731    The eruption of mass protests and activities across the United1732States immediately following Hamas's October 7 terror massacre, and in1733the 20 months since, has raised important questions about the funding1734sources of the anti-Zionist and anti-Israel groups behind the unrest,1735particularly those groups that promote explicitly antisemitic and pro-1736terror messaging.1737    According to COE research and analysis of 990 filings and other1738publicly-available information such as grant announcements and grantee1739lists, some of the leading organizers receive money from the same1740donors who prioritize anti-Israel projects as well as from progressive1741and left-of-center institutional funders who view anti-Israel advocacy1742and education as part of their broader intersectional organizing. A1743number of them received funding after the October 7 attack.1744    Some groups organizing the protests are fiscally-sponsored projects1745of registered 501(c)(3) organizations that lend their tax-exempt status1746to the project (which would likely otherwise not have the capacity to1747operate) and help with administrative tasks like managing donations.1748    A prominent example of this kind of funding vehicle is WESPAC, a1749non-profit organization that has served as a major node in the1750operations of groups such Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP).1751    Another example is the Alliance for Global Justice (AFJG), an1752Arizona-based organization that has served as a fiscal sponsor to1753Samidoun and the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural1754Boycott of Israel (PACBI). AFJG has been blocked from collecting1755donations via credit card companies since February 2023 following what1756it described as an ``attack by right-wing media'' on its financial ties1757to Samidoun, an anti-Zionist group sanctioned by the U.S. Government as1758a sham charity acting on behalf of the U.S.-designated terror group the1759Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). The U.S.1760Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned1761and added Samidoun to the Specially Designated Nationals list in1762October 2024 for being owned, controlled, directed by, or having acted1763for or on behalf of the PFLP.1764    Crowdfunding has also been a key component of protest and campus1765organizing, with local groups and individuals raising funds for1766students and activists through various platforms.1767            State-Sponsored and Foreign Terrorism1768    For decades, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been the world's1769leading state sponsor of terrorism, antisemitism, and Holocaust denial1770and distortion. It has waged a relentless campaign against Jewish1771communities worldwide--murdering Jews from Europe to Latin America.1772Through terror proxies, it continues to spread violence and hatred1773against Jews and the United States, united under the chants of ``Death1774to America! Death to Israel!''. The Iranian regime even plotted attacks1775on American soil, including against President Trump before the 20241776election.1777    Jewish communities are also facing increasing threats from state-1778sponsored antisemitic campaigns, which aim to sow discord. For example,1779Iranian State media networks such as Press TV and HispanTV consistently1780broadcast antisemitic conspiracy theories, glorify designated terrorist1781groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, and promote Holocaust denial.1782    Leaders from across the Islamic Republic of Iran's proxy network1783have openly identified Western public opinion--and especially campus1784protests as--part and parcel of their strategy to demonize Israel and1785by extension, Jews across the globe. For example, on November 11, 2023,1786Hassan Nasrallah, the late secretary general of Hezbollah said in a1787public address ``[ . . . ] the demonstrations happening in Washington,1788New York, London, Paris, and Western European countries [are important]1789because [they] put pressure on [the] enemy and on those who protect the1790enemy.''1791    Campus protests have consistently been framed by the Iranian regime1792and its terrorist proxies, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, as part of a1793``global uprising'' against Israel, deliberately blending the language1794of both far-left revolutionary politics and far-right antisemitic1795conspiracy theories with their own religious extremist aims, in an1796attempt to influence Western audiences.1797    Qatari and Turkish state-funded media networks, including but not1798limited to Al-Jazeera and TRT, have contributed to the spread of false1799narratives by regularly platforming antisemitic, anti-U.S., and pro-1800Hamas, and pro-Iranian-regime commentators.1801    In addition to foreign actors influencing and even funding efforts1802within United States, extremist groups use terror attacks on Jews in1803the United States to further fuel the flames of hate. We have seen1804numerous social media channels linked to Hamas and ISIS, with hundreds1805of thousands of followers, use the murders of Yaron Lischinsky and1806Sarah Milgrim in Washington, DC and the attempted incineration of Jews1807in Colorado as propaganda materials. Shortly after the Boulder attack1808one pro-terror Telegram channel posted, ``You can attack Jews all on1809your own, with whatever you can find,'' they say, ``follow the example1810of these `heros.' ''. Meanwhile, ostensibly mainstream news networks--1811in both English and Arabic--soften or lionize the images of those1812behind such attacks, or attempt to use them for political purposes1813unrelated to what should be the fundamental issue: Jews are not safe.1814                         policy recommendations18151. Secure the Jewish Community1816   Fund the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) at $5001817        million in the annual appropriations bill to meet the urgent1818        and growing demand. In 2023, only 43 percent of applicants1819        received funding. Without sufficient funding for this program,1820        Jewish communal institutions must make impossible decisions.1821        Houses of worship must choose between prayer books and1822        bulletproof windows. Schools must decide between staff and1823        alarm systems. Community centers must decide between athletic1824        equipment and security guards.18252. Prevent and Prosecute Antisemitic Crimes1826   Support the interagency Task Force to Combat Antisemitism so1827        the Federal Government can coordinate and aggressively1828        prosecute antisemitic hate crimes, harassment, and extremist1829        violence. Whether under President Trump or President Biden,1830        there has been bipartisan recognition that fighting1831        antisemitism requires a whole-of-Government approach.1832   Restore funding to the FBI and DHS to disrupt domestic1833        terror plots and for grant programs like the Center for1834        Prevention Programming (CP3) that provide local prevention1835        frameworks to off-ramp individuals before they choose violence.1836        CP3 in particular is a pivotal initiative in countering1837        domestic extremism and antisemitic violence, providing grants1838        to community-based programs aimed at building resilience,1839        preventing radicalization, and offering alternatives to1840        individuals at risk of engaging in extremist activities.18413. Eradicate Antisemitism in Education1842   Ensure the enforcement of Title VI by the U.S. Department of1843        Education by sufficiently funding the Office for Civil Rights1844        (OCR), so that it has full capacity to investigate complaints1845        alleging antisemitic harassment and discrimination.1846   The Antisemitism Awareness Act which ensures the Department1847        of Education's Office of Civil Rights (OCR) continues using the1848        International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working1849        Definition of Antisemitism when investigating antisemitic1850        harassment and discrimination on college and university1851        campuses.1852   Issue new regulations and guidance pursuant to Executive1853        Order 13899 to specifically address campus antisemitism.1854        Additional regulations and guidance, such as Dear Colleague1855        Letters, would help ensure civil rights laws are enforced to1856        protect Jewish students. For instance, guidance that includes1857        further examples of how rhetoric targeting Zionists can be1858        harassment tied to shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics1859        would be a critical resource.1860   Pass the Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons (HEAL)1861        Act to direct the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to conduct a1862        study on Holocaust education across States, local educational1863        agencies, and public K-12 schools, giving us a clearer1864        understanding of what is being taught and where there are gaps.18654. Disrupt Amplifiers of Hate1866   Hold social media, messaging, and gaming platforms1867        accountable for spreading antisemitic hate, disinformation, and1868        incitement.1869   Compel transparency from digital platforms to ensure that1870        companies clearly articulate their policies on hate,1871        harassment, and misinformation; apply those policies1872        consistently; and allow both the public and lawmakers to1873        understand how and whether they are enforced.1874   Rigorously enforce robust terms of service for digital1875        social platforms, particularly those prohibiting cyber hate and1876        antisemitism. These policies must address the evolving and1877        specific ways antisemitism manifests on-line, including1878        Holocaust denial, conspiracy theories, and the glorification of1879        antisemitic violence.18805. Combat Hate Crimes and Improve Data Collection1881   Fund DOJ grant programs such as the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act1882        and the Community-based Approaches to Prevent and Address Hate1883        Crimes Program that assist State and local efforts to prevent,1884        investigate, and respond to hate crimes, with a focus on1885        training, victim support, and public education.1886   Fund DOJ grant programs such as the Matthew Shepard and1887        James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Program, that support Federal,1888        State, and local law enforcement agencies in collecting,1889        reporting, and acting on hate crime data.1890   Pass the Improving Reporting to Prevent Hate Act of 2025 to1891        strengthen credible and accurate reporting of hate crimes.18926. Confront Domestic Terrorism with the Tools it Requires1893    Domestic terrorism--including against Jewish individuals and1894institutions--remains one of the most persistent and under-addressed1895threats to our national security. To meet the moment, law enforcement1896and homeland security agencies must be equipped with the tools,1897resources, and mandates necessary to detect, disrupt, and respond to1898these threats.1899   Pass the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act (DTPA)--this bill1900        would authorize dedicated offices within the Department of1901        Justice and Department of Homeland Security, and the FBI, to1902        analyze, monitor, and respond to the threat of domestic1903        terrorism--including antisemitic and ideologically motivated1904        violence. DTPA would also require regular threat assessments1905        and establish training and grant programs to support State and1906        local efforts.19077. Investigate Potential Material Support for Foreign Terrorist1908        Organizations1909    We have documented a deeply troubling trend in which U.S.-based1910extremist groups--including some individual Students for Justice in1911Palestine (SJP) chapters, National SJP, Unity of Fields, Within Our1912Lifetime (WOL), and others--have publicly aligned themselves with1913Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and1914the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). These groups1915have disseminated content glorifying terrorism, promoted imagery of1916armed militants, circulated statements from designated FTOs, and1917encouraged direct action in the United States that mirrors the rhetoric1918and tactics of these terrorist organizations.1919   We must enforce laws against material support for foreign1920        terrorist groups and dismantle financial networks--including1921        on-line crowdfunding--that fund antisemitic extremist conduct1922        and propaganda. It is illegal to knowingly provide material1923        support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist1924        organization--including funds, services, expert advice or1925        assistance, and coordinated efforts that facilitate their1926        goals.1927   The Department of Justice should examine whether individuals1928        or organizations in the United States have provided material1929        support to U.S.-designated terrorist groups.1930   Congress and the IRS should also investigate--consistent1931        with due process--whether nonprofit organizations like WESPAC1932        and the Alliance for Global Justice through their fiscal1933        sponsorship of certain domestic groups have served as conduits1934        for funding terrorist and extremist groups.1935                               conclusion1936    We are at a dangerous inflection point. The rise in antisemitic1937incidents and attacks in the United States is not only a threat to1938Jewish communities--it is a threat to our national security and our1939democratic values. The convergence of violent extremism, antisemitic1940ideology, and on-line radicalization is fueling an unprecedented threat1941environment that demands urgent action.1942    We are grateful to this committee for shining a spotlight on the1943growing danger posed by anti-Israel extremist groups and their1944potential to inspire violence at home. ADL stands ready to work with1945Congress, the administration, and other partners to advance the1946policies and resources needed to protect the Jewish community and1947counter the broader threat of hate-fueled violence.19481949    Mr. Pfluger. Thank you, Mr. Segal.1950    The Chair now recognizes Dr. Carafano for his opening1951statement.19521953    STATEMENT OF JAMES JAY CARAFANO, PH.D., PRIVATE CITIZEN19541955    Mr. Carafano. Thank you. I want to thank the committee for1956addressing this vital issue, and I have a statement for the1957record which I will super briefly summarize. It starts with a1958really big confession. I sadly have many, many decades of1959experience in the national security, Homeland Security, and1960counterterrorism space to draw on, and so when I was asked for1961this hearing I just started with one very simple question. So1962from that perspective of what's worked and hasn't worked over1963decades, and if your goal is to reduce the threats of terrorism1964in the United States and enhance public safety, what are the1965single most important things you could possibly do?1966    I boil it down to one on this issue and that is to focus on1967the Venn diagram, on the nexus of activities between violent1968action and the planning and organization in support of1969execution that enable and make them possible, and that is1970principally material support.1971    I have a number of recommendations for the record, but I1972just want to focus on what I think are the 2 really important1973buckets that if we get nothing right in this between the1974Congress and the administration, that these are the ones that1975they have to get right. The first one is you have to put1976maximum effort into the investigatory actions of material1977support and related criminal activity, like RICO crimes and1978organized support for public violence at the Federal, State,1979and local level.1980    The real sweet spot is connecting the 3 of those together1981is to maximize the benefits of each of them. So I would point1982out, for example, something like the 287(g) program which1983Congress enacted, which when it was originally designed for1984State and local cooperation with Federal law enforcement, but1985in the initial--when this program was first introduced many of1986the law enforcement agencies that participated in it were1987actually focusing on counterterrorism. Florida, for example,1988was a great innovator and advocated this. So, it is a perfect1989program to illustrate how you can bring those resources and1990authorities together to really expand your investigatory1991actions. I think what the committee asked to ask is are there1992other areas we can expand this in, not just in terms of1993immigration enforcement and not just in the DOJ space, but in1994the homeland space and under the authorities of Homeland1995Security and possibly in other areas as well, Commerce,1996Treasury, and so on.1997    The second area is cutting one of the most vital sinews in1998the connection between material support and violent action, and1999that is terrorist travel. Everybody remembers the 9/11 report.2000Very few people remember that the 9/11 Commission considered2001terrorist travel such a vitally important task that they wrote2002a whole separate volume just on that.2003    So, I think any of the range of activities which are really2004designed to thwart malicious travel and presence and entry in2005the United States are extremely efficacious in helping diminish2006the capacity to provide material support and reducing the2007likelihood of terrorist actions.2008    So, border and immigration and immigration enforcement,2009deportations, denial and revocation of visas, I think all of2010these are absolutely critical support for this. I just want to2011end by thanking the committee for having this hearing and2012taking this mission on because truly you are doing God's work.2013Thank you.2014    [The prepared statement of Mr. Carafano follows:]2015                Prepared Statement of James Jay Carafano2016                             June 11, 20252017    My name is Dr. James Jay Carafano, Ph.D. I am the senior counselor2018to the president of the Heritage Foundation and the E.W. Richardson2019Fellow at The Heritage Foundation. The views I express in this2020testimony are my own and should not be construed as representing any2021official position of The Heritage Foundation.2022    Thank you for the opportunity to appear before the committee today2023and address this vital topic. In my testimony, I would like to (1)2024argue that the most important step the U.S. Congress and this2025administration can take in addressing terrorist risks to the homeland2026related to the operations of domestic antizionist and antisemitic2027groups and influencers is to emphasize, expand, and fully empower2028national efforts to identify, disrupt, and prosecute those individuals,2029organizations, and networks conducting material support to terrorism;2030(2) make the case that action is important not just for2031counterterrorism but broadly to support American national security and2032foreign policy priorities; and (3) identify the programs and2033initiatives, based on risk-informed assessments, that best support2034these goals, as well those actions that are less efficacious and, in2035some cases, counterproductive.2036                        expertise and experience2037    I have over 25 years of experience in homeland security and2038counterterrorism policies and related fields. In 2003, I established2039the homeland security research portfolio at the Heritage Foundation,2040and, for over a decade, oversaw all the foundation's research and2041public policy proposals related to national security and foreign2042policy. All our research, including extensive work in the fields of2043homeland security and counterterrorism is publicly available at2044www.heritage.org/. I also coauthored the first major textbook on the2045field of homeland security (McGraw-Hill 2005). I served on the2046Department of Homeland Security Advisory Council for 3 different2047secretaries of Homeland Security and was the head of the President-2048elect's transition team for the Department of Homeland Security in20492017. I was also a member of the Advisory Panel on Department of2050Defense Capabilities for Support of Civil Authorities and the advisory2051board for the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review. In addition to the2052foundation's work and research efforts, over the years, the Heritage2053Foundation has partnered with a number of research institutions, both2054in the United States and globally, to better understand and offer2055constructive non-partisan analysis and policy recommendations. These2056organizations have included the Center for Strategic and International2057Studies, George Washington University, the Aspin Institute, the Hudson2058Institute, the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, the American2059Enterprise Institute, the U.S. Army War College, the Naval Post-2060Graduate School, and many others, including research institutes in2061India, Israel, Hungary, Italy, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and2062several other countries.2063    Further, in the wake of the October 7, 2003 terrorist attacks on2064Israel, Heritage, in partnership with others, established the National2065Task Force To Combat Anti-Semitism (https://2066www.combatantisemitismtf.org/). The task force consists of volunteers2067including over 100 organizations and individuals seeking to identify,2068highlight, and combat the malicious groups behind antisemitic activity2069while working to bolster Americans' physical safety, religious liberty,2070civil society, and vital interests abroad, particularly relations with2071the State of Israel. Together, we facilitate information-sharing and2072crisis response efforts between groups through collaborative working2073groups and strategies.2074    Finally, in 2024, the research team at the Heritage Foundation2075published Project Esther: A National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism2076(https://www.heritage.org/progressivism/report/project-esther-national-2077strategy-combat-antisemitism). Project Esther provides a blueprint to2078counter antisemitism in the United States and ensure the security and2079prosperity of all Americans.2080    The depth of research over the years and extensive network of2081associates working directly in the space of combatting antisemitism and2082antizionism deeply informed the recommendations that I have to offer2083today.2084                             call to action2085    As with any aspect of national action, the activities of the U.S.2086Government should advance the freedom, security, and prosperity of all2087Americans, not sacrificing one priority to advance the others. This2088inherent tension, articulated so well in the U.S. Constitution,2089challenges our executive, judicial, and legislative leadership to seek2090to maximize all 3 outcomes and not accept the compromising of any. In2091no area of public policy is this task more essential, and difficult,2092than in responding to domestic threats to the homeland where Americans2093rightly demand that neither their civil liberties, public safety, or2094entrepreneurial spirit are compromised and that national policies be2095suitable, feasible, and acceptable, producing the best outcomes.2096    Without question, one group of activities that is a clear and2097present danger to liberty, safety, and our economy is providing2098material support terrorism. In law, providing material support is a2099bright a red line as the act or threat of terrorist attacks. Material2100support directly threats public safety--encouraging, empowering, and2101enabling terrorist activity. Material support to terrorism is not2102protected civil activity. The disruptions caused by terrorist actions2103and extremist violence impinge by the life and labors of everyday2104Americans. On this matter, there can be no partisan debate or agendas.2105    Further, vigorously disrupting material support to terrorism is2106strategically crucial to national counterterrorism operations severing2107the most important, influential, and dangerous link between extremism2108ideologies, organizations, and networks, and those threatening or2109perpetuating violence against everyday Americans. Thus, focusing on2110material support is not only an efficacious activity, with the2111exception of the directly thwarting terrorist acts and extremist2112violence it is the key activity for disrupting the flow of ideas,2113resources, assets, and arms into the hands of would-be terrorists.2114        targeting groups linked to antisemitism and antizionism2115    Identifying and prioritizing groups, networks, individuals, and2116activities as targets of suspected material support to terrorism is a2117significant challenge. Extremists' activities are always associated2118with political views. It is always tempting to focus on or ignore or2119dismiss extremist factions based on their politics. This is a grave2120threat to both public safety and undermining the legitimacy of2121government action.2122    A the ``lights were blinking red,'' about threats from al-Qaeda to2123the U.S. homeland before 9/11. There are 2 significant reasons why2124extremist groups associated with antisemtic activities rise to the top2125of groups of concern.2126    First, there is demonstrable evidence they are affiliated with2127individuals who have threatened or conducted terrorist actions or other2128incidents of extremist violence. The recent incident in Washington, DC2129offers a case in point. As the research of my colleague Mike Gonzalez2130points out:21312132``Terrorists like Elias Rodriguez, who murdered Yaron Lischinsky and2133Sarah Milgram at the Jewish Museum in Washington, DC in late May, are2134nurtured in their hate by a revolutionary ecosystem composed of2135different organisms: fiscal sponsors, funders, and organizers.2136``Rodriguez was associated with two leading institutions of the2137revolutionary ecosystem, the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL),2138and one of its front groups, the ANSWER Coalition, an acronym for Act2139Now to Stop War and End Racism.2140``He [Rodriguez] attended several marches coordinated by both groups in21412018, and was identified as a member of the PSL. Now that Rodriguez has2142been caught committing a heinous crime, however, both groups are2143distancing themselves from him.2144``Black Lives Matter Chicago also admitted that Rodriguez was a2145supporter and took part in several marches. BLM Chicago was one of the2146groups that cruelly posted pictures of paragliders with Palestinian2147flags after the terrorist group Hamas massacred over 1,200 Israelis on2148Oct. 7, 2023, the New York Post reported at the time.''21492150    When we see that even ``lone wolves'' are not really acting2151isolated and disconnected from larger networks of support, sympathy,2152and encouragement, that kind of connectivity merits the attention of2153law enforcement and intelligence services.2154    Second, there is mounting evidence these groups are conducting2155activities that are material support to terrorists. The National Jewish2156Advocacy Center has identified several groups including Students for2157Justice in Palestine and the Palestine Youth Movement. According to2158news reports some have been reported to directly coordinating with2159Hamas (https://nypost.com/2025/06/04/us-news/protestor-tarek-bazrouk-2160had-link-to-hamas-militants-doj/). Dr. Jonathan Schanzer at the2161Foundation for the Defense of Democracies has done extensive working2162demonstrating the financial linkages and networks supporting extremist2163activities (https://gop-waysandmeans.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/216411/Schanzer-Testimony.pdf), exactly the kinds of activities that2165precursors to radical violence and terrorism.2166    As Michael Gonzalez notes, the spectrum of activities is a2167framework for empowering and enabling violent activity. ``This2168infrastructure,'' he points out:21692170``can be best understood if broken down into 4 interrelated components:21711--the `activist organizations' that plan and carry out the protests;21722--the `fiscal sponsors' that give these organizations legal coverage,2173and afford them opaqueness; 3--the often deep-pocketed `donors' that2174fund the activist organizations through the fiscal sponsors: and 4--2175`radical media' groups that amplify the protests and promote them on2176social media, and also routinely air propaganda for U.S. adversaries2177such as China, Russia, or Cuba.''21782179    Where there is smoke there isn't always a fire, but effective law2180enforcement and counterterrorism start by looking where there is2181evidence of criminal activity. In this respect, there is ample2182information about activities in the antisemitism and antizionism2183operating space to warrant serious investigation.2184                      a national security priority2185    Antisemitism is not just about Jew hate or even hate crimes.2186Organizations and networks supporting these activities often espouse2187policies that undermine U.S. interests and foreign policies. They are2188often supported and linked to both foreign and domestic malicious2189actors. Thus, disrupting antisemitic and antizionist networks not only2190address material support to terrorism and supports counterterrorism2191operations, they can also be a gateway to combating efforts to2192undermine or counter other U.S. foreign policy and national security2193priorities.2194    The witch's brew of actors that could be, and are likely involved,2195in promoting antisemitic and antizionist extremism in the United States2196include adversarial states like China, Russia, and Iran; extremist2197Islamist groups including the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, and Hezbollah;2198terrorist networks including ISS-K and al-Qaeda; and international2199organizations that embrace Jew hate.2200    Efforts to promote violent extremism in the United States appear to2201be an organized campaign that transcends just attacking Jews or2202demonizing Israel. For instance, Elias Rodriguez was a member of PSL, a2203communist party closely associated with the ANSWER Coalition (shares2204leadership and some office space with them). ANSWER is financed with2205money from Neville Roy Singham, a billionaire who lives in Shanghai,2206has close ties to the Chinese Communist Party, and is married to CODE2207Pink founder Jody Evans. The on-going LA riots against ICE enforcement2208of immigration laws appear to be organized and supported by PSL and2209other groups from the same revolutionary ecosystem that mobilized in2210support of the BLM riots of 2020 and the pro-terrorism riots of 2023 to2211the present.2212    If there is a structured and well-funded campaign to promote2213organized political violence in the United States on demand, it is2214difficult to conclude anything but that this represents a clear danger2215to public safety and national security.2216                        what works. what doesn't2217    The United States has decades of experience in combating activities2218related to domestic terrorist threats. In that period we have seem2219clear winners and losers. The recommendations offered here are based on2220an assessment of these activities and initiatives.2221    1. Federal Operations that that broadly survey social media and2222        other public data to identify extremist threats or combat2223        disinformation are inefficient; prone to political abuse; and2224        undermine the trust and confidence of American citizens.2225        Programs ought to follow models of intelligence-led policing2226        and responsible investigatory guidelines that lead responsible2227        criminal investigations. Further, the U.S. Government loses2228        credibility when it declares itself the regulator of political2229        truth. The Government has a responsibility to debunk false2230        claims when it comes to U.S. Government operations and2231        activities, that is part of what responsible transparent2232        governments, but that should be the limit of the scope its2233        activities in combating extremist thought.2234    2. Federal, State, and local shared situational awareness and2235        coordination is valuable. The 287(g) program, for example,2236        offers a flexible and effective tool for cooperation on matters2237        of immigration enforcement which often serves as an important2238        counterterrorism tool.2239    3. Robust Immigration Enforcement and Border Security is important.2240        These are valuable instruments for thwarting terrorist travel.2241        Terrorist travel is a key tool for enabling both terrorist2242        attacks and material support activity. Lack enforcement in2243        contrast not only provides more space and freedom of action for2244        our adversaries it greatly expands the pool of potential2245        threats that law enforcement and intelligence activities must2246        survey.2247    4. Denial and Revocations of Visas is an important tool for2248        disrupting material support activity. Not all extremists are2249        engaged in terrorists acts or material support, but many that2250        other require a visa to come to the United States. Students,2251        workers, activists, and professionals should leave or be2252        deported if they have broken the conditions of their status per2253        U.S. immigration law. Citizens of nations that cannot properly2254        vet or provide adequate information to the United States or2255        represent a clear danger ought to be denied the right of travel2256        to the United States.2257    5. Aggressive investigation of material support and prosecution of2258        organizations and networks conducting or promoting antisemitic2259        or antizionist activity. This is perhaps the most significant2260        tool for undercutting serious potential terrorists threats in2261        the United States.2262                                 ______22632264    The Heritage Foundation is a public policy, research, and2265educational organization recognized as exempt under section 501(c)(3)2266of the Internal Revenue Code. It is privately supported and receives no2267funds from any government at any level, nor does it perform any2268government or other contract work.2269    The Heritage Foundation is the most broadly supported think tank in2270the United States. During 2023, it had hundreds of thousands of2271individuals, foundation, and corporate supporters representing every2272State in the United States. Its 2024 operating income came from the2273following sources:2274    Individuals--81 percent2275    Foundations--14 percent2276    Corporations--2 percent2277    Program revenue and other income--3 percent.2278    The top 5 corporate givers provided The Heritage Foundation with 12279percent of its 2024 income. The Heritage Foundation's books are audited2280annually by the national accounting firm of RSM US, LLP.2281    Members of The Heritage Foundation staff testify as individuals2282discussing their own independent research. The views expressed are2283their own and do not reflect the institutional position of The Heritage2284Foundation or its board of trustees.22852286    Mr. Pfluger. Thank you, Dr. Carafano.2287    The Chair now recognizes Ms. Rayman for her opening2288statement.22892290  STATEMENT OF JULIE FISHMAN RAYMAN, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF2291    POLICY AND POLITICAL AFFAIRS, AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE22922293    Ms. Rayman. Can you hear me?2294    Mr. Carafano. Now you're on.2295    Ms. Rayman. Now I'm on. OK. I appreciate the opportunity to2296be a part of today's very important conversation, and I'm2297grateful for your bipartisan leadership in addressing the2298antisemitism crisis in our country.2299    Much has been said about the tragic murders of Sarah2300Milgram and Yaron Lischinsky, so I just want to take this2301opportunity to say because they were cherished friends of AJC2302and because they were murdered outside of an AJC event to,2303again, extend condolences to their families and to thank the2304Secure Communities Network for the extreme amount of support2305and assistance that we've received from SCN since that incident2306happened, as well as before.2307    That attack, as well as the one that followed in Boulder,2308simply occurred because their attackers considered all of those2309who support Israel's existence, and perhaps even all Jews, to2310be proxies of the Jewish State. As we see horrific acts of2311violence being committed under the guise of resistance, it's2312clear that a disturbing and increasing number of people2313consider all Jews to be responsible for Israel's actions and to2314somehow therefore be deserving targets of hate, discrimination,2315and violence.2316    On-going investigations into these attacks will reveal how2317or whether the perpetrators engaged with or were inspired by2318terrorist or anti-Israel extremist groups. Such groups pose2319real and rising threats to Jews' safety at home and abroad and2320their capacity to incite and facilitate violence transcends2321borders.2322    Groups like Samidoun, which the Treasury Department2323sanctioned last year for channeling funds to the Popular Front2324for the Liberation of Palestine, carried out a theatrical2325performance cosplaying the October 7 attack as recently as this2326last weekend in Brussels.2327    At the same time, while terror-linked groups are one driver2328of today's horrific situation, there are many threats facing2329Jews that are not directly or indirectly attributable to them.2330AJC's State of Antisemitism in America Report in 2024 found2331that an equal number of American Jews believe that the2332political right and the political left represent an equal2333antisemitic threat in the United States today.2334    Whether from the political right, from the political left,2335from Christian nationalism or extremism in the name of Islam,2336all threats to Jews' safety and security command a robust2337Government response.2338    There is no question that terror and material support for2339terror are illegal. Breaking the law and violating the rights2340of others are not legitimate forms of protest, full stop. These2341activities must be addressed using the full weight of the law.2342    However, I also want to be clear. As we seek to counter2343these harmful behaviors we have to adhere to the guarantees of2344free speech and due process that apply to all people in the2345United States. While antisemitic and anti-Israel rhetoric and2346violent antisemitic attacks pose extremely serious challenges,2347they must be addressed with different approaches.2348    Speech, no matter how offensive, is protected. Suppressing2349it doesn't just violate our American values and2350responsibilities. It allows those who are advocating hate to be2351cast as victims.2352    Your leadership in this is vital. Public leaders on both2353sides of the aisle have an obligation to respond promptly and2354strongly. Ambiguity is unacceptable. The message must always be2355that nothing, absolutely nothing, including events in the2356Middle East, can justify antisemitism.2357    Leaders must categorically reject calls to globalize the2358Intifada or resistance by any means necessary because while2359some are protesting, others are planning.2360    In addition to strong specific and public condemnation,2361there are other critical ways that Congress can act. The2362exorbitant amounts doled out for Jewish communal security are,2363in effect, a Jewish tax.2364    Congress should provide at least $500 million for the2365nonprofit security grant program administered by FEMA, which2366has been under-, underfunded for years. Support the Center for2367Prevention, Programs, and Partnerships, CP3, which strengthens2368our country's ability to prevent violent and terrorist2369activities. These programs and other anti-terrorism grant2370programs must be appropriately resourced and staffed.2371    To address antisemitism on-line, Congress needs to pass2372fundamental reforms to Section 230 of the Communications2373Decency Act and press social media platforms to enforce and2374strengthen their own policies that relate to anti-terrorism and2375incitement to violence.2376    There is also a real and urgent need for the Government to2377adopt a broader, comprehensive strategy to counter antisemitism2378and foster American Jewish life. Congressional advocacy in2379favor of a national action plan and a point person to lead2380interagency coordination can make an important difference in2381making this happen.2382    It is only by addressing antisemitism holistically,2383regardless of political or ideological source and inclusive of2384both antisemitic rhetoric and violent attacks, that we can2385counter this surging antisemitism, which I think we can all2386agree is not just a problem that faces American Jews but2387affects American society and democracy as a whole.2388    Thank you and I look forward to your questions.2389    [The prepared statement of Ms. Rayman follows:]2390               Prepared Statement of Julie Fishman Rayman2391                             June 11, 20252392    Chairman Pfluger, Ranking Member Magaziner, esteemed Members of the2393Homeland Security Committee, it is a pleasure to be before you this2394morning to testify on ``The Rise of Anti-Israel Extremist Groups and2395Their Threat to U.S. National Security.'' I appreciate the convening of2396the Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subcommittee for today's2397important hearing, and I am grateful for your bipartisan leadership in2398addressing the antisemitism crisis facing our country.2399    I am here in my capacity as senior vice president of policy and2400political affairs at American Jewish Committee (AJC), a global, non-2401partisan advocacy organization that stands up for Israel's right to2402exist in peace and security; confronts antisemitism, no matter the2403source; and upholds the democratic values that unite Jews and our2404allies.2405    This hearing occurs on the heels of 2 deeply disturbing antisemitic2406attacks that have shaken the American Jewish community to its core.2407    Tragically, almost 1 month ago, not 1 mile from this very room, AJC2408lost 2 cherished members of our community--they were assassinated2409outside of the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, following our2410annual Young Diplomats reception.2411    Our event this year was about turning pain into purpose and2412featured members of the Multifaith Alliance and IsraeAID for a2413discussion on humanitarian diplomacy and how a coalition of2414organizations, including interfaith partners, are working together in2415response to humanitarian crises throughout the Middle East and North2416Africa.2417    However, at an event intended to build a stronger, more peaceful2418world, the mere presence of Jewish participants turned it into a night2419of hate-based violence and tragedy.2420    As the event concluded, Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky were2421gunned down, and their attacker yelled ``Free Palestine'' as he was2422taken away by law enforcement. Sarah and Yaron were assassinated in our2423Nation's capital, murdered while leaving a Jewish event, at a Jewish2424museum hosted by AJC, a Jewish organization. What warranted their2425murder? It was simply because their attacker considered all those who2426support Israel's existence, perhaps even all Jews, to be the proxies of2427the Jewish state.2428    Just last week, American Jews were again attacked for their support2429of Israel. Molotov cocktails were hurled at peaceful protestors calling2430for the return of the remaining 55 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza,2431including an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor. Was this an attack on an2432Israeli military target? No--It was an attack on peaceful Jewish2433demonstrators focused on the most basic of human rights: freedom from2434captivity.2435    It is past time for society to finally acknowledge and address what2436Jews have always known, and especially in the wake of the October 7,24372023, Hamas terror attack: that antisemitic and anti-Zionist language2438is dangerous, and when left unchecked, can be deadly.2439    Throughout the course of the investigations for these 2 attacks, we2440will learn how or whether the perpetrators engaged or were inspired by2441anti-Israel extremist groups. I want to be very clear--despite this2442exceptional threat environment, which is further evidenced by the2443recent Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Homeland2444Security (DHS) Public Service Announcement highlighting potential2445threats to Jewish and Israeli communities, there is a line between2446those who espouse antisemitic or anti-Israel rhetoric and those who act2447violently. The two cannot be treated the same.2448    When such violence does occur, we must ensure the response is2449consistent with the rule of law and democratic values. Let me be clear:2450terrorism and providing material support for terrorism are illegal.2451Similarly, illegal conduct under the guise of political activism is not2452protected under the Constitution and demands consequences. Yet as we2453seek to curtail these harmful behaviors, we must be steadfast in2454affording the guarantees of free speech and due process that apply to2455all people in the United States. Responsible enforcement and due2456process are fundamental.2457    Speech alone, no matter how offensive some may find it, is2458nonetheless protected. Public protest, when it does not jeopardize the2459safety of others or violate the law, is a form of speech that is vital2460for democracy and a sign of its health. Law-breaking or violating the2461rights of others are not legitimate forms of protest.2462    Public leaders on both sides of the aisle have an obligation to2463respond promptly and strongly to repugnant anti-Israel and antisemitic2464language; however, when overbroad tools are used against those who2465espouse it, we will see the discourse necessarily shift away from2466condemning speech that crosses the line and endangers Jews and to2467whether those sanctioned were victims of censorship.2468               the state of antisemitism in the last year2469    Through our annual State of Antisemitism in America Report, AJC has2470collected 5 years of comparative data from American Jews and the2471general public on their perceptions of and experiences with2472antisemitism. We've seen how the number of respondents who say2473antisemitism is a serious problem and has increased a lot has grown2474significantly over the last 5 years. This data demonstrates that all2475Americans, Jewish and non-Jewish, are aware of the growing severity of2476the issue. Of the almost 6 in 10 Americans who say antisemitism has2477increased over the past 5 years, 88 percent say they are concerned by2478this increase.2479    In the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel,2480the world witnessed a dramatic surge in antisemitic and anti-Israel2481violence. Reactionary emotions to the horrors of war, anti-Israel2482sentiments fell prey to a slippery slope. Rather than serving as a2483moment of solidarity to mourn those killed in terror attacks--an2484opportunity to unite in the face of hate--alongside the Jewish2485community, rhetoric boiled over, and rallies and demonstrations quickly2486devolved into open celebrations of antisemitism. Protesters did not2487merely voice criticism of Israeli policy: they glorified Hamas a U.S.-2488designated terrorist organization, lauded the tactics used to rape and2489murder civilians, and chanted slogans such as ``burn the Jews'' in the2490streets of capitals the world over. This outpouring of hate was not2491limited to the Middle East or to Israel itself--it erupted globally,2492targeting Jewish communities from synagogues and schools to sporting2493events and residential neighborhoods.2494    According to AJC's State of Antisemitism in America 2024 Report,2495antisemitism reached shocking levels following the October 7 Hamas2496attacks, affecting American Jewish behavior and sense of security on a2497level that we haven't witnessed before. A staggering 90 percent of2498American Jews said antisemitism has increased in the United States2499since the Hamas terrorist attacks, while 77 percent of American Jews2500report feeling less safe as a Jewish person in the United States2501because of these attacks. In consequence, the majority of American Jews2502are afraid to be themselves, and many are intentionally concealing2503aspects of their identities to avoid being identified as Jewish. For2504the first time in the history of AJC's report, the majority of American2505Jews (56 percent) changed their behavior in 1 of 3 ways out of fear of2506antisemitism. Perhaps most concerning is that one-third (33 percent) of2507American Jews say they have been the personal target of antisemitism--2508in person or virtually--at least once over the last year. Antisemitism2509not only targets American Jewish individuals but also Jewish2510institutions and businesses as well. Thirty percent of American Jews2511say their institutions were the target of antisemitism in the past 52512years, and 25 percent say that local businesses where they live have2513been the targets of antisemitism in the past year.2514    Hearteningly, 9 in 10 Americans, both Jews and non-Jews, believe2515antisemitism affects our society as a whole; everyone is responsible2516for combating it.2517                       understanding antisemitism2518    A comprehensive and nuanced understanding of antisemitism is key to2519confronting anti-Jewish and anti-Israel violence. AJC's State of2520Antisemitism in America 2024 Report revealed that almost one-third (302521percent) of Americans are not familiar with the term antisemitism and2522what it means. This raises concerns because individuals cannot respond2523to or prevent something that they do not understand.2524    That is why the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)2525Working Definition of Antisemitism, which provides a clear and concise2526description of antisemitism in its various forms, is an educational2527tool to help individuals and entities understand how antisemitism is2528defined and manifests. And, this is why Congress should swiftly pass2529the Antisemitism Awareness Act (H.R. 1007), legislation with strong2530bipartisan support, that would ensure the Department of Education2531continues to consider IHRA as a useful tool when it seeks to protect2532students in educational spaces.2533    Antisemitism is often described as the world's oldest hatred. While2534antisemitism can often be traced back to Christian anti-Judaism, in2535which Jews were accused of killing Jesus Christ (deicide charge),2536kidnapping and murdering Christian children to use their blood in2537rituals (blood libel), and spreading the Black Plague through common2538drinking wells, contemporary antisemitism in the United States can be2539found across the political spectrum and attributed to various sources.2540    Antisemitism stems from the far-right, including white supremacy,2541white nationalism, and neo-Nazi antisemitism; the far-left, arising2542from identity-based politics or anti-Israel antisemitism, including2543denying Israel's right to exist; religious extremism such as ISIS,2544Black Hebrew Israelites, and Nation of Islam; and from fringe segments2545of minority communities, as a form of scapegoating or seeing Jews as an2546outgroup or a competitive threat, including competition of victimhood.2547                 when anti-zionism becomes antisemitism2548    Following the October 7 Hamas attacks, we have witnessed a2549disturbing surge in antisemitic violence and rhetoric across the United2550States, often masquerading as anti-Zionist activism. The anti-Israel2551rhetoric that fueled the demonstrations after October 7 has frequently2552crossed the line into classic antisemitism. Protesters and public2553figures have revived ancient tropes, commonly including ludicrous2554accusations of Jewish control over governments and economies, and2555compared Israel's actions to those of Nazi Germany--a particularly2556pernicious form of Holocaust inversion that trivializes Jewish2557suffering and history. These comparisons and conspiracies, when voiced2558by public officials, lend legitimacy to antisemitism and embolden2559extremists, leaving Jewish communities increasingly vulnerable.2560    This global wave of antisemitism, catalyzed and justified by anti-2561Israel extremism, has not only endangered Jewish communities but2562threatens the very fabric of democratic societies. Antisemitism, no2563matter the source, weakens our social cohesion and undermines the2564values that bind us together. The conspiracy theories and hate that2565animate anti-Israel extremism are the same ones that have fueled2566antisemitism for centuries, and are now being amplified by social media2567and legitimized by public figures who should know better. When anti-2568Israel activism crosses the line into demonization, delegitimization,2569or collective blame of Jews, it threatens not only the safety of Jewish2570Americans but also the foundational principles of equality and civil2571rights for all.2572    I mentioned the incidents here and in Colorado, but they are merely2573the most recent escalation in a long line of growing violence Jews have2574been subjected to since the start of the most recent Israel-Hamas2575conflict. In November 2023, protesters in Washington, DC, displayed2576signs equating Prime Minister Netanyahu to Hitler, with one depicting2577him ``eating a Palestinian child''. These comparisons distort Holocaust2578history, framing Jews as perpetrators of genocide rather than victims.2579    In 2024, as the conflict dragged on, synagogues like Park Avenue in2580New York City and Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel in Philadelphia were2581repeatedly defaced with slogans such as ``From the river to the sea''--2582a phrase that can be used to call for the elimination of the State of2583Israel and/or ethnic cleansing of Jews living there--and swastikas,2584conflating opposition to Israeli policies with attacks on Jewish2585identity.2586    In April 2025, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's home was set2587ablaze with him and his family inside, just hours after their Seder2588celebrating the first night of Passover. His crime? Being Jewish and2589caring about Israel. These incidents, alongside daily harassment of2590Jewish-owned businesses and neighborhoods, show how anti-Zionist2591rhetoric has been weaponized to justify violence against Jews as a2592collective.2593    The distinction between legitimate criticism of Israeli government2594policy and the demonization or delegitimization of Israel and Jews has2595been systematically eroded. For instance, when protests against Israeli2596policies turn into chants of ``Death to Jews'' or when academic2597discussions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict devolve into2598personal attacks on Jewish students, it becomes clear that a troubling2599new landscape is emerging. This is a landscape where antisemitism often2600masquerades as political activism. The rhetoric and actions go far2601beyond legitimate criticism of Israeli government policy; they2602represent a concerted effort to marginalize and erase Jewish life from2603academic and public spaces, often substituting ``Zionist'' or2604``Israel'' for ``Jew'' as a socially acceptable form of bigotry. This2605phenomenon has resulted in Jews reporting increased fear, behavioral2606changes, and a growing sense of isolation as they navigate environments2607where anti-Israel sentiment frequently crosses the line into anti-2608Jewish hostility.2609    What must be acknowledged is that alongside distorted, hyperbolic,2610and even false anti-Israel narratives and calls for or justifications2611of political violence, we are seeing many actors also advance these in2612ways and forums that specifically endanger Jews. The challenge now2613facing us is to confront this new antisemitism--one that wears the mask2614of anti-Israel activism while upholding the principles of free2615expression and human rights for all, recognizing that protecting Jewish2616communities from discrimination is essential to maintaining democratic2617values and genuine dialog about Middle Eastern politics.2618           antisemitism must be fought in a bipartisan manner2619    This is an all-hands-on-deck moment we find ourselves in--American2620Jews and Americans of all religious and political backgrounds alike. It2621does not matter who is perpetrating antisemitism and targeting Jews. We2622will be under attack no matter if it is from those on the far-left or2623the far-right; as they will find a way to make the Jews the culprits of2624whatever they deem to be the ultimate evil in their philosophy. Whether2625it is a far-left protester calling us ``baby killers'' while we are on2626our way to synagogue, or if neo-Nazis deface a synagogue with swastikas2627and other hate symbols, for us the hatred and fear we experience are2628the same. Anytime a Jewish person is targeted, it affects every Jew,2629because we are all interconnected. But the rising tide of antisemitism2630is not just a Jewish problem. It is a threat to our national security,2631democracy, and our society.2632    According to AJC's State of Antisemitism in America 2024 Report, 792633percent of American Jews say the extreme political right represents an2634antisemitic threat in the United States today, and 78 percent express2635the same sentiment about the extreme political left in the United2636States today. Thirty-three percent of American Jews find that the2637extreme political right, the extreme political left, Christian2638nationalism, and extremism in the name of Islam represent a very2639serious antisemitic threat in the United States today.2640    Fighting antisemitism requires a unified, bipartisan approach that2641transcends political divisions and partisan considerations.2642Antisemitism affects all Americans regardless of political affiliation,2643and the hatred directed at Jewish communities comes from extremists2644across the political spectrum--both far-left and far-right actors who2645target Jews for different ideological reasons. The charge for elected2646officials lies not only in condemning antisemitism when it comes from2647political opponents, but also in having the courage to call out2648antisemitic rhetoric and actions from within their own parties,2649recognizing that such principled stands ultimately strengthen both2650their constituencies and democratic institutions. Bipartisan2651initiatives, like the House Task Force for Combating Antisemitism,2652demonstrate how lawmakers can effectively collaborate across party2653lines to address this ancient hatred, ensuring that antisemitism does2654not become weaponized as a political wedge issue that further divides2655communities. When political leaders unite against antisemitism, they2656send a powerful message that protecting vulnerable communities and2657upholding democratic values transcends partisan politics and2658strengthens our national security. I encourage all members of this body2659to join this important task force.2660    AJC also encourages Members of Congress to engage directly with2661Jewish organizations to gain a deeper and more nuanced understanding of2662the many forms antisemitism takes in today's society. Essential2663resources, such as AJC's Translate Hate glossary, which helps decode2664antisemitic tropes and coded language, make it substantially easier to2665recognize the historical context of modern manifestations of2666antisemitism. We are here to help! By partnering with Jewish advocacy2667organizations, lawmakers can learn to better recognize and address2668antisemitism's complex roots--from subtle bias to overt hostility,2669whether in schools, on-line, or in the streets of our Nation's Capital.2670Through open dialog and collaboration, Congress can more effectively2671support Jewish communities, promote understanding, and uphold the core2672values of inclusion and respect that strengthen our democracy.2673                          antisemitism on-line2674    Antisemitic and anti-Israel rhetoric have exploded on-line. On-line2675and more specifically, on social media, continues to be the place where2676most American Jews experience antisemitism. According to AJC's State of2677Antisemitism in America 2024 Report, 67 percent of Jewish adults have2678seen antisemitic content on-line or on social media at least once in2679the past 12 months, of which 20 percent report that these incidents2680made them feel physically threatened. Unfortunately, many do not report2681the incidents. The No. 1 reason given by Jewish respondents as to why2682they chose not to report antisemitism on-line or on social media was2683that they did not believe any action would be taken.2684    Antisemitic content on social media platforms regularly surges2685after attacks on the Jewish community, as it did after October 7.2686Immediately following the antisemitic attacks in Boulder and2687Washington, celebration of these attacks, including comments such as2688``what goes around comes around,'' ``long live the intifada,'' and2689``resistance'' appeared in posts and in the comments sections across2690all major social media platforms such as Meta, X, TikTok, and YouTube,2691according to AJC partner, CyberWell--the world's first live database of2692on-line antisemitism.2693    Additionally, it is important to note that the on-line manifestos2694of shooters at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,2695where 11 worshipers were murdered; mosques in Christchurch, New2696Zealand, where 51 were killed; a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, where 232697people were killed; and a supermarket in a predominantly Black2698neighborhood of Buffalo, New York, where 10 people were killed, were2699inspired by the ``Great Replacement Theory''--a conspiracy theory2700rooted in the belief that the white race is under threat of extinction2701at the hands of Jews and other minorities. Internet sites such as27024Chan, Reddit, and Discord have allowed those who hold these extremist2703views to come together and be inspired by these conspiracy theories to2704hold Jewish people responsible for the world's problems.2705    In his manifesto to explain the attack, the Buffalo shooter blamed2706Jews for pushing out whites and accused Jews of believing they were2707superior because they called themselves ``God's chosen people.'' ``Why2708attack immigrants when the Jews are the issue?'' the suspect asks2709rhetorically. His answer: ``They can be dealt with in time.''2710    To mitigate these issues and strengthen our national security,2711there are several avenues Congress can take. Congress should pass2712fundamental reforms to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act2713and hold social media companies accountable for the spread of2714antisemitic and hate-fueled violence on their platforms. Congress2715should ensure on-line platforms lose their special immunity if they2716utilize an algorithm to amplify or recommend content to a user that2717promotes violence and impose stronger transparency requirements on on-2718line platforms to prevent algorithmic bias, improve moderation systems,2719and enforce community standards. And finally, Congress should pass2720legislation requiring social media companies to allow researchers2721access to the platform's data, while maintaining users' privacy.2722Qualified, independent researchers can help Congress--and the social2723media companies themselves--better understand how the platform's2724algorithms are spreading antisemitism.2725    Congress should also continue to publicly hold social media2726platforms accountable with enforcing and strengthening their existing2727anti-terrorism and incitement to violence policies.2728    Experts at AJC regularly engage with social media companies on2729these issues, provide briefings and policy recommendations, and serve2730as a trusted flagger or early warning partner, which allows us to2731escalate harmful content and alert the companies to changing trends in2732antisemitism. AJC would be happy to brief Members of Congress to ensure2733you remain updated on the latest data and can develop comprehensive2734policies that can make these platforms safer for all users.2735                      addressing security threats2736    Just as we can do more to educate and train people to understand2737antisemitism and anti-Zionism, more also needs to be done to protect2738Jewish communities from physical threats. Our State of Antisemitism in2739America 2024 Report data found that, for American Jews who are2740affiliated with a Jewish institution, 30 percent said their2741institutions were targeted by graffiti, threats, or attacks in the last27425 years. Nearly one-third of a minority group's institutions have been2743threatened. And as alarming as that number is, even more American Jews2744think their synagogue, their campus Hillel, their JCC, or their kosher2745market might be next. For American Jews who are affiliated with a2746Jewish institution, 70 percent said their institutions have increased2747security measures since October 7, 2023.2748    Congress should support community-based violence prevention2749programs and encourage local law enforcement to build stronger ties2750with synagogues, Jewish community centers, Jewish day schools, and2751other Jewish institutions and organizations--and vice versa. Through2752these relationships, Jewish communities can avail themselves of State2753and local-level training, technical assistance, and resources to2754bolster their security. These local efforts should work in conjunction2755with Federal programs such as the Nonprofit Security Grant Program2756(NSGP).2757    The NSGP provides funding for nonprofits at high risk of terrorist2758threats and attacks to increase their preparedness and support security2759needs. This essential program has been severely underfunded for years,2760only fulfilling 42 percent of requests in 2023. Since October 7, 2023,2761Jewish institutional applicants to the NSGP have increased as2762antisemitic attacks have surged, and fears about attacks have become2763pervasive. Congress should provide funding for this vital program by2764providing at least $500 million in fiscal year 2026. I want to thank2765Congress for its continued bipartisan support for this program, which2766strengthens our national security, and is more vital now than ever2767before.2768    More broadly, the threat to Jews and Jewish institutions is not2769confined to the United States, it transcends national borders. Groups2770like Samidoun, which the Treasury Department sanctioned in October 20242771for channelling funds to the Popular Front for the Liberation of2772Palestine, carried out a reenactment of the October 7 Hamas attack on2773Israel in Brussels this past weekend. Similarly, organizations such as2774the Russian Imperial Movement (RIM) and members of its leadership were2775designated by the Trump administration as Specially Designated Global2776Terrorists in 2020. Disinformation and propaganda aimed at inciting2777anti-Jewish hatred is prevalent in RIM's digital content, ranging from2778centuries-old conspiracies such as the anti-Jewish blood libel trope2779claiming Jews kill Christian children and drink their blood to2780antisemitic lies tied to current events. This was the first time in2781history that the Department of State designated a white supremacist2782extremist group. Congress can press the U.S. Departments of State and2783the Treasury to designate transnational violent extremist groups as2784terrorist organizations in order to limit their ability to recruit on-2785line and raise funds.2786                          prevention programs2787    Law enforcement and security agencies alone are not sufficient to2788address the needs of the Jewish community. Efforts to ensure security2789for Jewish individuals and institutions must work in conjunction with2790broader multidisciplinary efforts to prevent extremist and targeted2791violence from further spreading throughout the United States.2792Intervention and deradicalization are key to comprehensive preventative2793approaches. The Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3)2794within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is one such program2795that strengthens our abilities to prevent terrorism and targeted2796violence through education, partnerships, and training. Critical to our2797own national security interests, the Federal Government's approach must2798not only be responsive but also proactive in addressing terrorism,2799which is why preventative agencies such as CP3 are integral to2800countering antisemitic and anti-Israel violence.2801    Congress should support the mission of the Center for Prevention2802Programs and Partnerships (CP3) as outlined when the division was2803established in 2021, ensure sufficient funding, and support individuals2804with robust knowledge, extensive experience, and deep connectivity to2805communities, private partners, and Federal entities that work in2806counterterrorism.2807    Local partners, like AJC, must also contribute to informing2808communities about how to prevent ideologically-based violent extremism.2809In 2020, AJC, in partnership with Muflehun, a resource center that2810designs programs to address complex social challenges, created a2811training program that took a community-based approach to confronting2812threats motivated by extremism or bigotry. The training was funded in2813part by a grant from the Office for Targeted Violence and Terrorism2814Prevention within the DHS.2815      the need for a national coordinator to counter antisemitism2816    In the United States, while we have a Special Envoy to Monitor and2817Combat Antisemitism in the U.S. Department of State, their focus is2818abroad. The efforts of the Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism2819can be streamlined and amplified by including all Federal agencies.2820Additionally, having a point person solely focused on leading2821interagency coordination and building infrastructure around combating2822antisemitism, including leading and maintaining the process of sharing2823Federal Government efforts across agencies and with the Jewish2824community, will make countering antisemitism more efficient and2825effective.2826    Congress should work with the administration to appoint a National2827Coordinator to Counter Antisemitism so that our Government continues to2828take a whole-of-Government approach to fight the scourge of2829antisemitism. Congress should also call on the administration to create2830a U.S. Government action plan to combat antisemitism and foster Jewish2831life.2832 closing: fighting antisemitism will strengthen our national security2833                             and democracy2834    This moment is not only about the Jewish community, but also about2835the society we live in, and we must find ways to work together in a2836bipartisan manner to combat antisemitism and create a better future for2837our children and grandchildren. Antisemitism has plagued our world for2838thousands of years. It has led to Jews being vilified, isolated,2839harassed, chased, expelled, hunted, and murdered. At its core,2840antisemitism is a symptom of extremism and the fraying of our shared2841social cohesion. When antisemitism is tolerated, it means conspiracy2842theories have the air to bloom into something more dangerous and2843sinister. It means there is a rot gnawing at the foundation of our2844society and that we are at risk of democratic backsliding, extremism,2845and dehumanization. And it means that every one of us, not just the2846Jewish community, is worse off. Fighting antisemitism will not only2847protect the Jewish community in America but also protect our democracy2848and national security.2849    We must be vigilant in distinguishing when anti-Israel activities2850cross into antisemitism and have the courage to call them out, issuing2851unambiguous and unwavering condemnations. Our Government and law2852enforcement must take a firm stand against antisemitic hate crimes and2853violence, upholding the law without infringing on individuals' rights2854afforded by the U.S. Constitution. To achieve this, it is essential to2855have a clear understanding of the nature of antisemitism, its various2856manifestations, and its impact on society. Congress plays a vital role2857in fostering this understanding, ensuring that hate is not allowed to2858proliferate on-line, safeguarding Jewish communities, and investing in2859programs that strengthen our society. AJC looks forward to partnering2860with you in stamping out this hate once and for all.28612862    Mr. Pfluger. Thank you, Ms. Rayman.2863    Members will now be recognized in order of seniority for 52864minutes of questioning, and we may elect to do an additional2865round of questioning.2866    I now recognize myself for 5 minutes of questioning. I2867appreciate hearing from everyone, especially hearing about free2868speech.2869    Ms. Rayman, your comments are--you are absolutely right2870that we have to protect free speech, that we have to be able to2871express views no matter whether we agree with them or not and2872then acknowledge that there is a line. So, what I want to ask,2873because it was it was mentioned by Mr. Segal, is--so, Mr.2874Segal, I will start with you.2875    When somebody at a protest says, ``Free Palestine,'' how2876does the Jewish community receive that?2877    Mr. Segal. Context is always the key with any slogan and2878that includes chants of a free Palestine. I think, you know, in2879many protests some in the community hear that they don't really2880think twice about it. But I think if ``Free Palestine'' is used2881to write graffiti on a sukkah or a Jewish institution that's a2882very different context.2883    Mr. Pfluger. Is that a call to violence?2884    Mr. Segal. ``Free Palestine'' inherently is not calling for2885violence on its own but if it's being yelled at when somebody2886is trying to burn people alive, you could bet it is.2887    Mr. Pfluger. OK. Do Jewish students in a rally that seems2888to be heating up in a way that is trending toward what could be2889physical violence, when somebody screams ``Free Palestine''2890with a Palestinian flag is that received by Jewish students on2891universities as a rally cry for violence?2892    Mr. Segal. Yes, I mean, even thought amongst Jewish2893students is not monolithic. I think different students may take2894it in a different way. I think what is important to focus on is2895when those types of sentiments or slogans are used when2896targeting specifically Jewish students or other individuals as2897elsewhere, that's the context that is really troubling about2898that.2899    Mr. Pfluger. Dr. Carafano, what does, in your opinion, a2900rally or a ``Free Palestine'' cry at a protest mean to the2901Jewish community?2902    Mr. Carafano. Right. So, I agree that context is everything2903and I think one of the things that we focus on is it is a2904difference I think if you are a U.S. citizen in a context of2905exercising your legitimate free speech.2906    In the sense if you are here on a visa as a student or as a2907professional and you are promoting extremist ideas in the2908United States, you're a guest of the United States.2909    In the United States it's very clear under U.S. legal2910authority that that if you violate the terms of your stay in2911the United States you should be removed from the United States.2912    If you want to come to the United States and you have a2913track record of extremist violent statements that the U.S.2914Government thinks disqualifies you from entering the United2915States, you should be denied entry to the United States. I do2916think that those are really important distinctions.2917    Mr. Pfluger. There is legislation that I am sponsoring and2918many others are supporting that gets at the heart of the2919overstay of those visas, especially those that would perpetrate2920those attacks.2921    Mr. Sleeper, when you think about the terrorist in the2922Boulder, Colorado event, what was this person's mindset? How2923did they become radicalized? How did they get to the position2924where they are espousing these foreign terrorist organization2925ideals and this viewpoint of antisemitic and violent action?2926    Mr. Sleeper. Thank you, sir. The commonality amongst all 32927events were that the perpetrators condoned their actions in the2928name of Gaza. They had all been consuming the same material,2929the same information. When you have 3 events, violent events,2930targeting the Jewish community within 8 weeks and all 32931offenders say the same thing, use the same terminology, it's2932clear that there is a consistent message being conveyed.2933    That message is targeting the Jewish community and it's2934being conveyed by everywhere from foreign terrorist2935organizations to nation-state actors like Iran. Their goal is2936to do whatever they can do to incite violence against the2937Jewish community.2938    Mr. Pfluger. Thank you.2939    Ms. Rayman, should those on a visa studying at a university2940participating in some sort of protest, so not American citizens2941but those on a visa, should they be allowed to burn an American2942flag at a university?2943    Ms. Rayman. I want to start off by saying----2944    Mr. Pfluger. And scream ``Free Palestine?''2945    Ms. Rayman. Yes. I want to start off by saying that to be2946in America as a resident, as a student, is a privilege. It is2947not a right. For those who are not upholding our values or2948threatening the safety and security of Americans there needs to2949be some process for consideration of removal.2950    Burning an American flag, shouting ``Free Palestine'' are2951elements of that freedom of speech, and there are, as has been2952discussed before, a great many interpretations of what that2953means, of what those types of messages mean, right?2954    For many who would say, for example, ``from the river to2955the sea,'' right, they're seeing that, ignorantly, as2956synonymous for free Palestine, right?2957    But if you look at where the river is and where the sea is2958and if, in fact, what they mean when they say that is that it2959is only for Palestinians and not for Jews, that's a very2960different message.2961    Mr. Pfluger. Thank you. I will come back to you. My time2962has expired.2963    I will give you the--I will yield to the Ranking Member and2964also if you need an extra minute we can do that.2965    Mr. Magaziner. I appreciate that. Thank you to the Chair2966and to our witnesses for some very good testimony.2967    I will start with Mr. Segal and your recommendations, which2968were very helpful. Your first one was expanding funding for the2969nonprofit security grant program. That resonates with me2970because I know in my district in Rhode Island we have numerous2971synagogues, churches, schools, mosques that have utilized that2972program.2973    This is a Federal program that helps those religious and2974community-based organizations get the security upgrades that2975they need to keep people safe, cameras, facial recognition, et2976cetera.2977    As of yesterday, and I believe this is still the case, the2978Trump administration has still not awarded $210 million of2979nonprofit security grant funds from fiscal 2024 and has also2980not even noticed the funding for fiscal 2025, an additional2981$274 million for availability.2982    So that is, in total, nearly half a billion dollars that2983the administration is withholding in nonprofit security grant2984funds, to say nothing of the budget for next year that they2985proposed, which is also inadequate.2986    So, can you just, I mean, help us out here? Part of our job2987as Members of Congress is to hold the administration2988accountable and to make sure the administration is doing2989everything that it can to protect people from antisemitic2990violence in this country. Can you just speak some more about2991the importance of releasing these grant funds right away and2992why the administration needs to act immediately on it?2993    Mr. Segal. Yes, thank you for the question. You know,2994attending an event at a Jewish museum or marching or walking2995peacefully to show solidarity with hostages or walking to class2996or even just walking down the street in Brooklyn should not be2997an act of courage, but that's where we are.2998    Mr. Magaziner. Yes.2999    Mr. Segal. So, the community is feeling vulnerable. This is3000a crisis moment, and we need to rely on our leaders and the3001Government to help protect communities when they are at most3002risk. I think that's what we hope people will understand and3003that these dollars are going to go not for superfluous issues3004but to protect people so that they don't have to be courageous3005just to be publicly Jewish.3006    Mr. Magaziner. That is very well said, thank you. I will3007just say again, I mean, I genuinely appreciate that the3008administration has stated that cracking down on antisemitism is3009a priority. It should be. But the actions need to follow the3010words, and a very basic action is to release the nearly half a3011billion dollars that Congress has already appropriated for the3012nonprofit security grant program so that lives can be saved.3013    Your second recommendation had to do with the CP3 program.3014Again, for people at home who may not be familiar, can you3015explain what that is and why it is important?3016    Mr. Segal. Yes. The Center for Prevention, Programs, and3017Partnerships at DHS, the idea there is that it would help3018prevent mass casualty attacks and extremism, not just respond3019to it afterwards. My sense is that based on some of the work3020that was done there they helped save lives.3021    You know, antisemitism is the lifeblood of many extremist3022movements both domestically and globally. So, if we can push3023back against the narratives that we know animate people to3024violence at the earliest stages, the community will be safer.3025That's what CP3 has the potential to do.3026    Mr. Magaziner. It is about preventing people from becoming3027radicalized, especially young, impressionable people. If I3028could just again, I mentioned this earlier but this, again, is3029the agency that President Trump has appointed this individual3030to lead, Mr. Fugate, a 22-year-old who just graduated from3031college earlier this year with no law enforcement experience,3032no national security experience, no intelligence experience.3033    So, I think what a lot of us are wondering is why? Why?3034Like, there are plenty of qualified people out there. Is this3035the best we can do? I think there are some who are speculating3036that it is because the administration intends to shut down the3037CP3 program entirely and Mr. Fugate is there as a placeholder3038while it is wound down.3039    From what I understand there have been significant firings3040and layoffs at CP3, which would support that theory. But yes,3041the answer is we don't know.3042    Now, if this is some whiz kid who is qualified somehow to3043lead this important office, then I think we at least ought to3044get him in here to ask him some questions about what his vision3045and his plans are.3046    You know, with the extra minute that the Chair was kind3047enough to grant me, I will just ask any of our witnesses does3048anyone feel comfortable having an individual of Mr. Fugate's3049profile and experience leading an office like CP3, given the3050charged environment that we are in right now?3051    Mr. Carafano. Yes, look, I'd just like to say that if you3052look at the entire Federal architecture in the 4 years that got3053us here, I think it was an abysmal failure.3054    Mr. Magaziner. Yes, but I am asking about who is in charge3055right now.3056    Mr. Carafano. Well, that's the point, sir, because----3057    Mr. Magaziner. Yes.3058    Mr. Carafano [continuing]. You have all these people who3059were charged with reducing antisemitism----3060    Mr. Magaziner. Yes.3061    Mr. Carafano [continuing]. And anti-Zionism in this3062country----3063    Mr. Magaziner. All right. Mr. Carafano----3064    Mr. Carafano [continuing]. But for 4 years--for 4 years it3065just went up.3066    Mr. Magaziner. So, I will reclaim my time. I don't think3067that justifies, any of this justifies appointing a 22-year-old3068with no relevant experience to an agency charged with keeping3069us safe, an agency that the ADL has flagged in one of their top30705 recommendations as needing more support not less.3071    Mr. Carafano. Yes. Sir, I think you've asked the wrong3072question.3073    Mr. Magaziner. With that, I will yield back.3074    Mr. Pfluger. The gentleman yields.3075    I now recognize the gentlelady from Georgia Ms. Greene.3076    Ms. Greene. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.3077    There is a unifying belief of the left, a hatred of America3078and Western civilization. Anti-Israel extremism is frequently3079part of a broader anti-Western sentiment. It is why so many of3080the protesters at the L.A. anti-ICE riots are flying3081Palestinian flags while burning the American flag and why Isra3082Hirsi, the daughter of a Congresswoman who sits on Foreign3083Affairs, Ilhan Omar, said on her Instagram last week, ``from3084L.A. to Rafah, there is one common oppressor. Death to the3085colonial empire.''3086    She also drew this connection between ICE enforcement and3087L.A. in Israel's war against Hamas. For the left everything can3088be reduced to white people oppressing brown people. Whether it3089be a BLM riot, a pro-Palestinian encampment, or an attempt to3090impede ICE from enforcing Federal immigration laws, these3091protests are all organized by the same professional left-wing3092activists whose intent is to cause as much civil unrest and3093chaos as possible.3094    Elias Rodriguez, the man who shot and killed 2 Israeli3095embassy officials last month, was deeply involved in this far-3096left activist ecosystem.3097    Mr. Carafano, what far-left groups was Elias Rodriguez3098involved with?3099    Mr. Carafano. So, you raise a really important point, which3100is why the threat of antisemitism and anti-Zionism in the3101United States is a bigger and broader problem because when we3102look at the organizations which have supported and encouraged3103or discussed these----3104    Ms. Greene. I am short on time, Mr. Carafano. What3105organizations?3106    Mr. Carafano. Yes. So this is the Party of Socialism and3107Liberation----3108    Ms. Greene. Great.3109    Mr. Carafano [continuing]. Has also been engaged in3110activities like BLM and other riots as well.3111    Ms. Greene. Now, would that be linked to Neville Roy3112Singham? Does that name ring a bell?3113    Mr. Carafano. He is widely recognized as a major funder of3114the organization. That's from Wikipedia, so----3115    Ms. Greene. Just to go further on who Neville Roy Singham3116is, he is the son of a Sri Lankan immigrant and Cuban3117immigrant, but in 1974 he was investigated by the FBI for his3118ties to groups engaged against the United States' interest.3119    He was in this group. He is also said to be nearly a3120billionaire and gives his money frequently to left-wing3121organizations. He is even linked to the CCP.3122    He currently lives and works in Shanghai. He shares office3123space with a Chinese propaganda firm focused on presenting a3124positive image of China to the global south. In 2019, he3125started a consulting business with Chinese partners active in3126the propaganda apparatus of the CCP.3127    He has provided significant funding to pro-China groups3128around the world and even married Jodie Evans, founder of Code3129Pink in 2017. She used to be against China but she is not3130anymore and she is currently co-authoring a book titled,3131``China Is Not Our Enemy.''3132    You know, what is really insane about this man is he uses3133the Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund. There are a lot of3134Americans that invest their money with Goldman Sachs. But the3135Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund is a dark money clearing house3136to obscure his identity, Singham's identity, while facilitating3137the transfer of substantial sums to nonprofit, things like the3138People's Forum which received over $20 million from Singham3139through the Philanthropy Fund, and organized anti-Israel3140protests across the country and was heavily involved in the3141protests at Columbia and the Washington mall.3142    Singham also funds $20 million through the Goldman Sachs3143Philanthropy Group to the Justice and Education Fund which3144provides money to pro-China media outlets around the world and,3145just as you mentioned, the Party of Socialism and Liberation.3146That is the group that is organizing these lovely events3147happening in Los Angeles that Democrats call ``mostly3148peaceful,'' but the people in Los Angeles call fiery, violent,3149and call a war against America.3150    He also funded, and unbelievably, the pro-Palestinian3151protests around the country and on campuses and Elias3152Rodriguez, the man who killed the 2 young Israeli diplomats.3153Singham coordinated the anti-ICE L.A. protest. Again, this3154picture just can't be shown enough.3155    These have been coordinating these--they have been3156coordinating these anti-ICE protests around the world or, I3157mean, around the country. More to come is what the Democrats3158tell us.3159    Mr. Carafano, one last question, do you believe China is3160funding the war against America?3161    Mr. Carafano. There's a lot of activity in the public3162record that show Chinese money is flowing into many of these3163organizations which have been involved in planning and3164organizing and supporting these activities. Absolutely.3165    Ms. Greene. Thank you, Mr. Carafano.3166    I yield back, Mr. Chairman.3167    Mr. Pfluger. The gentlelady yields.3168    The Chair now recognizes the gentleman from New York Mr.3169Goldman.3170    Mr. Goldman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is a little rich3171to be lectured about antisemitism from somebody who could not3172even bring herself to vote yes on a antisemitism resolution3173that was supported by all but 2 Members of the House of3174Representatives.3175    But we are here, I think, for a very important purpose, and3176I do thank the Chairman for raising this issue and calling this3177hearing. I was disappointed that the partisan accusations that3178somehow President Biden and his administration are responsible3179for the rise in antisemitism, when President Biden issued the3180first national strategy to counter antisemitism and nonprofit3181security grants and the funding for them significantly3182increased during the Biden administration.3183    Now that we have had 3 very serious violent antisemitic3184incidents the need for those nonprofit security grants is even3185greater, and I was certainly disappointed to see that the3186Subcommittee on Appropriations allotted only $305 million for3187nonprofit security grants, the same amount in fiscal year 20233188before October 7, before the dramatic rise in antisemitism, and3189before the violent events that have occurred over the last3190couple of months.3191    Ms. Rayman, you are here from the AJC, and one of those3192tragic violent events occurred and an AJC event. Could you just3193briefly, and obviously we express our condolences to you and3194the organization and the Israeli embassy, but can you describe3195what additional security measures AJC will now need to take3196after and as a result of the murders of Sarah and Yaron?3197    Ms. Rayman. Thank you so much for the condolences and3198recognizing AJC's, sort-of, unique place in this horrible3199antisemitic landscape that we're all navigating in this moment.3200There is, of course, an active investigation into what took3201place the night of the murder of Sarah and Yaron so I can't3202comment too much on that.3203    But I can say that we've been in very deep and many3204conversations with law enforcement, with the FBI, with the3205Secure Communities Network about protocols and have been3206largely reassured that the existing protocols that AJC has in3207place for our events are parallel to what Jewish community3208organizations and advocacy organizations across the board are3209using and that we have done everything----3210    Mr. Goldman. I guess the question, if I could just3211interrupt, is----3212    Ms. Rayman. Please.3213    Mr. Goldman [continuing]. I am assuming that after this3214event where there was terrible violence that you are going to3215have to increase security.3216    Ms. Rayman. Yes.3217    Mr. Goldman. That will cost money, correct?3218    Ms. Rayman. Yes. Yes.3219    Mr. Goldman. That is true for just about every single3220Jewish organization, whether it be a synagogue or a nonprofit3221like AJC?3222    Ms. Rayman. Absolutely. There becomes a point where3223questions have to be asked. Do we have a program? Do we go on a3224trip? Do we engage certain constituencies or is the security3225cost simply too high?3226    Mr. Goldman. Yes. I think that that is worth noting because3227last year alone there were almost a billion dollars of3228applications through the nonprofit security grant program.3229Obviously, there was about $450 million so not all of them3230could be granted.3231    What you are saying and what certainly I have been told by3232many synagogues and Jewish organizations is now that these3233extremist antisemitic protests that previously had included3234intimidation, harassment, some assault but had not crossed over3235the line to violence and murder as they now have, are going to3236have to increase security.3237    The Federal program that provides funding for that security3238is the nonprofit security grant program. If there were a3239billion dollars of applications last year we can only imagine3240how much more need there will be this year.3241    I certainly hope that the Chairman, who I know cares very3242deeply about this issue, will encourage his colleagues on the3243Appropriations Committee and in leadership of the Republican3244Party to dramatically increase the $305 million. Many have been3245calling for at least $500 million, which I have also supported3246and I know AJC has supported.3247    It is absolutely essential for the Jewish community that3248the nonprofit security grant funding be significantly increased3249from last year, not decreased. I am hoping we can work in a3250bipartisan way to do that, Mr. Chairman, because I know you do3251and many of your colleagues on the other side of the aisle care3252very much about the Jewish community. This is essential to the3253safety and security of the Jewish community.3254    I yield back.3255    Ms. Rayman. Congressman, if I may? If we have just 1 second3256I would only say that the nonprofit security program doesn't3257just help Jewish communities protect our institutions. It's for3258all vulnerable communities. So, as we're increasing this amount3259we need to make sure also that it's not at the, at the cost or3260at the jeopardy of other communities.3261    So, we need to not only elevate it to meet the needs of the3262Jewish community but make sure that all vulnerable communities3263throughout the United States have the capacity to apply for and3264receive these important grants.3265    Mr. Goldman. No question about it. Thank you.3266    Mr. Pfluger. The gentleman's time has expired.3267    The Chair now recognizes the gentleman from Colorado, Mr.3268Evans.3269    Mr. Evans. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member for3270holding this hearing.3271    Of course, thank you to the witnesses for coming.3272    First and foremost, our hearts go out to the Jewish3273community for these attacks and antisemitism must be condemned3274wherever it rears its ugly head, full stop. But we have to do3275more than that.3276    The antisemitic terrorist attack that harmed Jewish3277advocates in Boulder, Colorado on June 1 happened 25 miles away3278from my house. As we have talked about, not an isolated3279incident, a representative of the surge that we have heard3280about of antisemitism in Colorado and across the United States.3281    Unfortunately per data from ADL, 2024 marked the highest3282number of recorded incidents of antisemitism in Colorado's3283history. We are now ninth in the Nation. Antisemitism has no3284home in Colorado or the Nation.3285    Again, I would like to thank the Chairman and the Ranking3286Member for this hearing so that we can find solutions. I was an3287Army veteran of the global War on Terror. I was a cop for over3288a decade in the Denver Metro Area and so I know that solutions,3289one of the solutions, is effective information sharing between3290Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies.3291    In the case of the Boulder attack, there are several3292different nodes at which that attack might have been stopped,3293when he was admitted entry into the United States having3294previously made many antisemitic statements, when he illegally3295overstayed a visa, when he illegally attempted to purchase a3296firearm, or again, the uploading antisemitic content to social3297media in support of extremists. Unfortunately, some of that3298coordination did not occur and the attack was planned over the3299course of a year in our backyard.3300    Mr. Chairman, I would like to enter into the record and3301play for the committee just a very short video of some of the3302statements made by the Boulder perpetrator before he carried3303out the attack.3304    Mr. Pfluger. So ordered. Let's suspend the time until we3305can get the video. When the video starts you can resume the3306time.3307    [Video playing.]3308    Mr. Evans. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.3309    First question to Mr. Sleeper. In light of statements like3310that, overstaying a visa, trying to purchase a firearm, should3311that have raised some red flags?3312    Mr. Sleeper. Yes. Knowing what we do regarding individuals3313who may be inclined to pursue the Jewish community as, excuse3314me, pursue the Jewish community as a result of their3315grievances, yes. Law enforcement and the intelligence community3316should be able to focus more acutely to identify issues that3317are suggesting an individual contemplating mobilization to3318violence.3319    Mr. Evans. Thank you. Then last question, I have got a3320minute and 12 seconds left, you mentioned in your testimony,3321fusion centers. How can Federal policies strengthen the3322original mission of fusion centers by equipping them with the3323tools to detect and respond to these antisemitic or other3324terrorist threats? What does that look like in terms of threat3325reporting?3326    Mr. Sleeper. Thank you. Fusion centers play an absolutely3327critical role in sharing threat information, timely threat3328information across our domestic intelligence architecture. SCN3329leverages fusion centers every day we work. When we identify a3330threat to life we include fusion centers to ensure that there's3331redundancy and sharing that information.3332    As we look ahead and we develop a strategy to mitigate3333targeted violent threats against the Jewish community, the3334intelligence component is absolutely essential. We need to3335understand what our adversaries are doing.3336    Most of the discussions we're having today are defensive.3337What can we do to protect this? Until we get to the point of we3338understand what our adversaries are trying to do, what they're3339targeting, and incorporating the fusion centers, working in3340conjunction with the intelligence community, Federal, State,3341and local law enforcement, then we will have a seamless3342perspective on information being shared specifically to this3343threat.3344    Mr. Evans. I yield back.3345    Mr. Pfluger. The gentleman yields.3346    The Chair now recognizes the gentleman from Puerto Rico Mr.3347Hernandez.3348    Mr. Hernandez. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I represent3349probably the largest Jewish community in the Caribbean, and I3350take the responsibility very seriously. Jewish people deserve3351to live without fear and with the full protection and support3352of their government.3353    Antisemitism has no place in our society, and I stand3354firmly with the Jewish community and remain committed to3355confronting hate with strength and determination.3356    Part of my commitment includes investigating and3357understanding how antisemitism spreads on-line, how it spreads3358through digital spaces like encrypted platforms such as3359WhatsApp and Signal or social media platforms such as Facebook,3360X, Instagram, YouTube.3361    Decisions by these companies, and full disclosure, I used3362to work for one of them, have an impact. We have seen how3363loosening content restrictions at Meta have led to an increase3364in antisemitism on-line, for example, a spike in antisemitic3365comments on the Facebook accounts of 30 Jewish Members of3366Congress.3367    Now, Ms. Rayman, while I disagree with the idea of3368reforming or changing Section 230 because I believe that3369Section 230 is what enables content moderation without3370liability, I think we can find some common ground with some3371minimum level of oversight, right, of moderation. Do you think3372that social media companies should reinstate previous policies3373around hate speech?3374    Ms. Rayman. Social media companies have a lot of work to3375do, both in terms of reinstating previous policies, increasing3376the number of content moderators. There was a trend to have3377more humans monitoring social media and looking for problematic3378posts. That trend, unfortunately, is changing and without the3379humans who are trained to understand what's going on it's much3380harder to combat.3381    With regard to Section 230, I would very respectfully push3382back and give an example. You remember the attack in Paris on3383the Bataclan Theater in 2015 where 90 were killed. There were3384clear examples of how social media had inspired and allowed for3385that attack to be facilitated.3386    An American was killed in that attack and sued the social3387media company. The initial court deemed that they were liable3388but they could not be found guilty because of Section 230. So,3389American lives are endangered because social media platforms3390cannot be held liable. No one's saying that they need to be3391liable for all of the hatred or all of the ridiculousness that3392exists on social media. That's what they're built for in a lot3393of ways.3394    But there need to be some lines. When there's fear of3395incitement----3396    Mr. Hernandez. I am sorry to interrupt because I also have3397another topic that I want to move on to but I do agree with the3398fact that we do need standards around content moderation. I3399would be open to legislation at least requiring some auditing3400of whether those companies are enforcing those standards and3401their success rates.3402    Ms. Rayman. Yes.3403    Mr. Hernandez. But I do think that we need to protect their3404intermediary liability status because it is crucial to protect3405freedom of expression and also for the platform's functioning.3406But, naturally, we can continue this debate for eternity. I3407agree with your point that on-line harm can lead to real-world3408harm and that is something that we need to guard against.3409    I would like to switch over to the controversy surrounding3410Harvard in the limited time I have left. Now, I understand that3411there is much to be done by universities across the country to3412ensure that all their students feel safe on campus, but Harvard3413has implemented several initiatives to ensure that its Jewish3414and Israeli students feel supported and have a strong sense of3415belonging.3416    I disagree with the administration's decision to freeze3417over $2 billion in critical funding to a university known for3418groundbreaking research and using the pretext of failing to3419address antisemitism on its campus is deeply misguided.3420    My question is for Mr. Segal. Given the ADL's partnership3421with Harvard to develop tools and best practices for combating3422antisemitism, can you share what measurable impact these3423initiatives have had so far in supporting Jewish and Israeli3424students on campus?3425    Mr. Segal. Well, I'll just start by saying, you know, to3426effectively combat antisemitism we need to safeguard those3427efforts from political exploitation. I would also say that, you3428know, banning, you know, foreign students from attending a3429university or removing their accreditation, like, that's not3430going to solve the antisemitism problem.3431    Mr. Hernandez. I agree. I think we have to stand strongly3432against antisemitism but we also have to stand strongly against3433weaponizing antisemitism for political gain.3434    I yield back.3435    Mr. Pfluger. The gentleman yields.3436    We will now enter a second round of questioning. Only those3437that were here for the first round will be allowed to ask a3438second question. If somebody new who was not here for the first3439round comes then they will be allowed to ask but it will be a3440single 5-minute period.3441    The Chair now recognizes--I now right myself for 53442additional minutes of questioning.3443    Mr. Sleeper, you talked about the threat of future attacks3444and you said that you are worried about the attacks that SCN3445has predicted that there will be a rise. What about those?3446    So, we saw in the case of Boulder that this was a visa3447overstay issue. Are you worried about those that entered this3448country illegally that had a tie to terrorism? Could they also3449pose a threat?3450    Mr. Sleeper. Well, certainly if there's individuals in this3451country that have a tie to terrorist organizations they should3452be a priority in monitoring ties to terrorist organizations3453without a doubt. Yes, sir.3454    Mr. Pfluger. Do they pose a threat to the Jewish community?3455    Mr. Sleeper. If there's an individual in this country that3456has a tie to a terrorist organization we should consider them a3457threat to the Jewish community. Yes, Mr. Chairman.3458    Mr. Pfluger. OK.3459    Dr. Carafano, when I think about the lawlessness that is3460happening across our country in many cities, talk to me about3461are these protesters in some cases being paid to go from city3462to city to protest, whether it is a ``from the river to the3463sea'' mindset or an anti-ICE mindset? Are there common threads3464that we see in these protests?3465    Mr. Carafano. We do see organizations that have in the3466public record supported activities including the BLM riots, the3467antisemitic riots that we've seen at universities and other3468places and people in California. This is undeniable.3469    Now, the question, you know, as I said my testimony, the3470key thing is material support. It's a real crime. It is a red3471line.3472    Now, I'm not accusing anybody of having conducted material3473support but the answer is where do you look for material3474support? You look for people who are involved in activities3475that result in harm to the public, whether it's a terrorist act3476or public violence.3477    Mr. Pfluger. So, when you see communities that fail to take3478these protests seriously when they do cross the line of3479protected speech to an area where it is not protected,3480violence, threats of violence, and those types of things, is3481there an incentive in these communities to continue to foment3482this type of attitude? Is that leading to the growing danger3483and the growing threat across our country?3484    Mr. Carafano. I mean, I think as a general threat estimate3485we could say that a lot of the public, organized public3486violence that we've seen in the last half decade, is what we3487would call top down, right? It's not like the civil rights3488movement. It's not like people saying let's block the bridge in3489Montgomery, Alabama. It's people being organized and sent to3490the streets.3491    We're seeing the same people or the same groups organizing3492across a range of different issues. So, if you say is there an3493external threat of a button to push to say when do we want to3494create public discord in the United States and make that3495happen, we've seen a series of occasions now where it appears3496the answer to that is yes.3497    Then, as I said, the real question is because we're worried3498about public safety, if that crosses over into material support3499now you just don't have somebody that's fomenting public unrest3500for political motives, for international motives, but you might3501have people that are actually creating a physical threat to3502American citizens.3503    Mr. Pfluger. Ms. Rayman, you talked about having both sides3504of the ideological spectrum covered. That it doesn't matter,3505that there you see it on both sides. But characterize those3506that are inciting these violent protests right now. What side3507of the political spectrum are they on, the ones that are3508screaming ``from the river to the sea'' and ``Free Palestine''3509in a way that incites violence in protests?3510    Ms. Rayman. Certainly what's been, I think, most jarring3511for many in the Jewish community over the past few weeks has3512been the shift from what we had seen as, sort-of, peaceful but3513uncomfortable protest to violent protest. There's no question3514about that.3515    Mr. Pfluger. Which side of the political spectrum do they3516lie on?3517    Ms. Rayman. They're coming from the far left. According to3518our survey, I didn't give this statistic before, we ask3519American Jews where are you most concerned about the threats?3520Thirty-three percent say the far left, 33 percent say the far3521right, 33 percent say Christian nationalism----3522    Mr. Pfluger. Yes. Well, I understand that.3523    Ms. Rayman [continuing]. And 33 percent say extremism in3524the name of Islam.3525    Mr. Pfluger. What I want to hone in on right now, though--3526--3527    Ms. Rayman. Yes.3528    Mr. Pfluger [continuing]. Is these protests have been going3529on for quite some time, for several years, in fact, and they3530have become more violent in nature. So, do you see that same3531character in that 33 percent that you just identified on the3532far right in the terms of massive amounts of people in massive3533protests that go from peaceful to violent?3534    Ms. Rayman. The really tragic part of what we are seeing in3535antisemitism in America today is that we cannot look in only3536one direction. Right now it would be very easy to turn all of3537our attention to the far left, to the anti-Zionist protesters3538and say this is where the threat is coming from now and ignore3539every other source of antisemitism.3540    Mr. Pfluger. Unacceptable in any forum on either side.3541    Ms. Rayman. We cannot do that. We don't have that luxury.3542    Mr. Pfluger. I agree, thank you. My time has expired.3543    I yield to the Ranking Member.3544    Mr. Magaziner. Thank you.3545    On that point, I mean, again, I think it is important that3546we call out antisemitism wherever it exists and that we act to3547prevent violence whatever the motivation. You know, that is3548certainly true when protests turn violent on the far left.3549    It is also true, for example, in Charlottesville, a mass3550protest that turned violent replete with chants of ``Jews will3551not replace us,'' among other inappropriate and incendiary3552slogans. So, we have got to call it all out.3553    But, you know, one of the dynamics that I find here, and3554this has not been the case, I want to thank the Chairman for a3555very good conversation and for calling this hearing. I want to3556thank all of the witnesses for bringing, I think, good,3557actionable recommendations.3558    But I think one of the things that frustrates some of us,3559particularly, you know, those who are Jewish Members of3560Congress or who, like myself, don't practice but have Jewish3561heritage, is sometimes, you know, we feel that antisemitism is3562being used to justify whatever the political agenda is that3563someone is trying to push when really what we need to be doing3564right now is listening to the Jewish community in this moment3565of crisis and asking the Jewish community in America what do3566you need?3567    So in that vein, hearing recommendations from these3568panelists is very instructive. I want to make sure that those3569recommendations are the center of what we take away from this,3570recommendations like fully funding the nonprofit security grant3571program and getting the nearly half billion dollars that has3572already been allocated out the door to organizations that need3573it.3574    Funding and supporting the CP3 program so that we can3575prevent radicalization before it occurs. That is a3576recommendation that is actionable that we in Congress can have3577influence over that we need and support.3578    Another recommendation that I noticed in Mr. Segal's3579testimony had to do with the Office of Civil Rights in the3580Department of Education. I think particularly in the higher3581education conversation right now that is important, so I would3582like to offer you a moment, you know, Mr. Segal, to explain the3583rationale for that recommendation and why it is important.3584    Mr. Segal. Yes. I mean, we need to, kind-of, attack where3585we are seeing antisemitism. I will say it's not only on college3586campuses. We're seeing it, you know, throughout our society.3587We're seeing it on-line. We're seeing it in the mouths of some3588of our leaders.3589    But I think, you know, when you think about ways to try to3590attack this issue before it gets worse, finding ways to deal3591with it when people are younger and giving them alternatives is3592going to help prevent future issues of antisemitism.3593    I would just like to say, you know, the attacks of tomorrow3594are being incubated today, whether it's in on-line spaces,3595whether it is in people feeling emboldened to harass their3596Jewish classmates, et cetera. So, the Education Department3597being able to focus on Title 6, for example, cases----3598    Mr. Magaziner. Yes.3599    Mr. Segal [continuing]. Hopefully will help.3600    Mr. Magaziner. That is incredibly important. I agree.3601Again, just for the record, I stated this earlier, so far this3602year the administration has cut at least 240 employees from3603that office at a time when we should be surging resources.3604    The way to deal with antisemitism on campuses is by having3605strong Title 6 enforcement, by having the Department of3606Education exercise oversight, not by cutting funding to medical3607research, not by turning away the best and the brightest from3608around the world who want to study in the United States.3609    So, again, I just want to make sure that we are listening3610to what our expert witnesses here are asking us for as a3611Congress and that the administration is listening as well.3612    Look, I do retain optimism. I believe that we can get past3613this period of divisiveness and hate that we are living in and3614we can build a brighter and better future, but we need to put3615the resources in the right places. Support DHS, support law3616enforcement, support the people who are doing the work of3617enforcing Title 6 do the actual work and put the funding where3618it belongs. This is not a time to be pulling back. Yes, going3619after hate on-line is absolutely essential.3620    I will just end on this. The social media platforms will3621pretend that they are neutral conduits for speech but when3622their algorithms amplify certain kinds of content, content that3623promotes violence, content that promotes hate, when their3624algorithms do that they are not being neutral. The algorithms3625are not neutral on those platforms and therefore they have a3626responsibility to exercise their power responsibly. If they3627don't, then Congress has a role to step in.3628    So, thank you all again. I yield back.3629    Mr. Pfluger. The gentleman yields.3630    The Chair now recognizes gentleman from Colorado Mr. Evans.3631    Mr. Evans. Thank you, Chairman. Thank you for the second3632round of questioning.3633    This was something that had come up in the first round and3634what I will probably do is I will frame the question and then3635we will go down the line and just hear each of your thoughts on3636it. As a cop you get to learn all sorts of fun case law and in3637this particular case Brandenburg v. Ohio from 1969 is the3638current governing SCOTUS case around where does free speech end3639and where does criminal action begin.3640    So just for the sake of framing this, I will read you a3641quick synopsis of it, which is that, ``speech may not be3642forbidden, advocating the use of force or unlawful conduct,3643unless that advocacy is directed to inciting or producing3644imminent lawless action or is likely to incite or produce such3645a lawless action.''3646    So, it goes back to the old hypothetical. Is it allowed to3647yell fire in a crowded theater? Well, that depends. Is there3648actually fire in a crowded theater, then yes, you should3649absolutely yell fire in a crowded theater.3650    But if you yell those exact same words with the intention3651of sowing discord, causing lawlessness, somebody gets hurt in a3652chaotic evacuation and you knew there was no fire and you did3653it out of malicious intent, well then, of course, that is not3654protected speech.3655    So, in the in the case of the discussion that we are having3656here, I would just like to go down the line starting with Mr.3657Sleeper and hear your thoughts around some of the slogans that3658we are hearing, ``Free Palestine,'' ``the river to the sea''3659and help break down the things that you are looking for that3660would help to define that line between something protected by3661free speech or something that is, as it says here in3662Brandenburg v. Ohio, calling for imminent lawless action or3663likely to incite that imminent lawless action. We have got 3\1/36642\ minutes left.3665    Mr. Sleeper. Thank you, sir. Our analysts are trained and3666managed to a privacy policy. We have a very rigorous privacy3667policy at SCN. We are specifically looking for individuals on-3668line who are making violent threats to the Jewish community,3669not threats, not comments about the Jewish community but3670threats to life. Clearly that meets the exemption policy in the3671First Amendment. Real threats are an exemption.3672    Attempts to intimidate and create fear are an exemption, so3673that's exactly what we're doing in the sense of staying true to3674the Constitution and the First Amendment but still being3675effective in identifying individuals intent upon threatening3676the Jewish community.3677    Mr. Evans. Thank you.3678    Mr. Segal.3679    Mr. Segal. Yes. I would just say quickly there are 23680elements that we look at. No. 1 is, you know, there is3681completely protected speech that can still be very damaging,3682not because it's immediate but this is a slow boil. The more3683that you dehumanize Jews and Israelis over time, the more that3684you normalize the type of language that isolates them and3685encourages people to try to attack them, the more likely it is3686possible.3687    So, it doesn't mean the speech is illegal but it means we3688still need to do something about that and find some3689counteractions.3690    The second part, real quick, on-line spaces where a lot of3691these discussions are starting and that animate what we're3692seeing in the real world, include terrorist organizations being3693able to share their propaganda, their communiques with a whole3694host of people around the globe. That may be a space like on3695Telegram to interrupt some of the language that we know is not3696only by foreign terrorist organizations but actually is3697animating that violence.3698    So, I'd like to find a way and I would like to work with3699any leaders here to find a way to drive a wedge in that space.3700    Mr. Evans. Thank you.3701    Dr. Carafano.3702    Mr. Carafano. The reason why I focus on material support is3703because it's an action that we absolutely know stops terrorists3704and public violence. As you pointed out in that legal opinion,3705there was a bright line there. It is not a free speech issue3706period.3707    Can I just make a very quick comment on your last3708question?--which was on the information sharing and State and3709local. Because if a 287(g) program had been in place in3710Boulder, Colorado, it is very likely that that perpetrator3711would have been found and removed for the country.3712    There was only actually, I think, one 287(g) program. It3713was in Teller County. It was actually invalidated by the courts3714because it violated State law.3715    Mr. Evans. No, there--yes, it was invalidated by State law3716directly in 2023 because I debated that State law in the State3717legislature. Thank you.3718    We have got 34 seconds left. Ms. Rayman.3719    Ms. Rayman. I'll be very speedy. I want to echo what Oren3720said about whether it's permissible or not. We have a3721responsibility to push back against language and rhetoric that3722when it seeps into the consciousness of even some, if not all,3723can be dangerous and flag for the subcommittee a resource from3724AJC called Translate Hate that is a visual glossary of3725antisemitic terms and tropes that sometimes hide in plain3726sight.3727    It talks about when they are and when they may not be3728antisemitic, and it includes terms like, ``from the river to3729the sea,'' ``Globalized the Intifada.'' Happy to provide this3730and any other resources after the hearing today.3731    Mr. Evans. Thank you.3732    Yield back.3733    Mr. Pfluger. The gentleman's time has expired.3734    The Chair recognizes gentleman from New York Mr. Goldman.3735    Mr. Goldman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As the co-chair of3736the bipartisan House Antisemitism Task Force, I think a lot3737about how to address antisemitism. I think one of the most3738important ways not to address antisemitism is to make it3739partisan and to try to place more relative blame on one party3740or another party for antisemitism.3741    I will say, as a member of the Democratic Party, that those3742people who espouse rhetoric, the ``from the river to the sea,3743Globalize the Intifada,'' also in many cases are anti-American3744and anti-democratic. They are not part of the Democratic Party.3745    They are extremists. I don't know if they are part of any3746political party, but I and many of my colleagues disavow them.3747They are not part of our party. If you are anti-American and3748anti-democratic then you are not part of any party. I hope we3749can stop trying to place more blame on one or the other and use3750it for partisan gain or political points.3751    Mr. Segal, I want to go back to I think what is a really,3752really important area to discuss, one that I have been focused3753on for quite a while, and that is the rise of antisemitic3754rhetoric and terrorist action or terrorist conduct and rhetoric3755on social media.3756    Starting in November 2023, I wrote 3 different letters3757ultimately to Speaker Johnson asking for an investigation of X3758because X had been promoting terrorists on its platform,3759notwithstanding its rules and conditions.3760    Now, Meta has followed X and has decided not to have any3761content moderation. According to a recent Tech Transparency3762Project Report that you can search for and collate pages and3763pages for the Islamic State, for al-Qaeda that are3764automatically generated by Facebook when you just list that3765terrorist group or you check into a terrorist group.3766    Now, Facebook says that it bans Islamic State and al-Qaeda3767and says that its technology is specially trained to detect3768them but that is flatly not the case.3769    TikTok, of course, has been well-documented to be promoting3770antisemitic rhetoric, antisemitic speech, and supporting3771terrorist organizations that preach antisemitism and anti-3772Israel beliefs.3773    This is what has radicalized the 3 recent perpetrators of3774violence. They have been radicalized on-line. I think your3775point about figuring out how to put a wedge in the social media3776platforms to prevent the proliferation and the promotion of3777that content is essential to combating antisemitism. I am very3778interested in working with you.3779    You know, I urge the Chairman to pick this up because I3780think that if we do want to address antisemitism we have to3781tackle it on-line because that is unquestionably where people3782are radicalized right now.3783    I guess in the last minute or so, if you could just3784describe some suggestions and recommendations for actions that3785we could take to do that I would be grateful.3786    Mr. Segal. Thank you for the question and we would be3787delighted to work with your staff on ways to move this forward.3788You know, I think the big point here is it's not just the3789presence of antisemitism on these platforms. It's the ability3790for these platforms to amplify it and for antisemites to3791actually monetize those products because of their antisemitism,3792right? I mean, that is even beyond just merely having it show3793up.3794    So we need stronger trust and safety parts of these3795organizations which have been decimated by some of them. We3796need to make sure that there are teams that are actually,3797whether it's using automated technologies or human beings,3798like, they need to enforce their terms of services, right? I3799mean----3800    Mr. Goldman. I mean, it is that simple, right? They have--3801--3802    Mr. Segal. Yes.3803    Mr. Goldman [continuing]. Regulation. They have the3804restrictions. They are just not enforcing them.3805    Mr. Segal. Right. You know, ADL, for example, we have a3806hate symbols database. We have all sorts of information that if3807someone's really looking for antisemitism and hate all they3808have to do is train their algorithms on what we provide, which3809is publicly available, to identify that hate and then make a3810dent into those types of exploitation of their platforms by3811antisemites.3812    But there needs to be a willingness there. They need to3813want to put people over profits and, frankly, if they're not3814going to do it on their own, I think government needs to step3815in----3816    Mr. Pfluger. The gentleman's time has expired.3817    Mr. Segal [continuing]. And provide an opportunity for3818that.3819    Mr. Goldman. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the extra time. I3820really sincerely hope that we can tackle this issue because it3821is incredibly important on the issue of counterterrorism and3822antisemitism. Thank you for the extra time.3823    Mr. Pfluger. The gentleman's time has expired.3824    The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman, Ms. Pou.3825    Ms. Pou. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and to our Ranking Member3826Magaziner for holding this very important hearing today. Let me3827just begin by indicating that clearly the rise of the3828antisemitism in the United States and across the world is3829alarming, especially after the October 7 terrorist attack that3830antisemitism attacks have increased exponentially.3831    No one should feel threatened or scared because of who they3832are and we must call out antisemitism each and every time that3833it rears its ugly head.3834    Today, I want to point out though that President Trump and3835his administration has cut vital Federal programs' funding and3836programs that are key in fighting against antisemitism. These3837freezes and cuts must be reversed immediately. It is something3838I have actually spoken about here in this very committee.3839    My first question, what I would like to direct it to, I am3840sorry, Deputy Director Sleeper. Let me just make reference to3841the fact that these nonprofit security grants is a critical3842Federal resource that helps organization at a high risk of3843terrorism and other extremist attacks improve their physical3844security and prepare for the myriad threats they face for3845synagogues, mosques, churches, schools, and community centers.3846    This program is not the only medium to obtain the3847protections that they need to keep their community safe.3848Unfortunately, as I pointed out, to date the administration has3849not released any notice of funding opportunity for the fiscal3850year 2025 or conducted its usual public webinar to help3851potential applicants understand the grant application process.3852    Nearly a month ago right here in this room, I pressed3853Secretary Noem on when our communities would receive guidance3854on this critical funding? Unfortunately, she did not give me an3855answer and here we are today still waiting, by the way.3856    So with that, deputy director, how are the delays in3857receiving the notice of funding opportunities, along with the3858absence of public-facing guidance like the webinar, impacting3859the ability of vulnerable organizations and groups to access3860resources necessary to protect their communities?3861    Mr. Sleeper. Thank you. The nonprofit security grant has3862and should continue to be an essential component of a3863comprehensive security strategy to secure Jewish facilities.3864    Ms. Pou. Well, thank you. We obviously know that, but3865unfortunately, I just want to stress the fact that that is3866still on-going and not released and that is something that we3867are all advocating for but, unfortunately, that is still3868something that has not happened.3869    We also recognize that home-grown violent extremists and3870domestic terrorists prey on our Jewish community. This is why3871our New Jersey Office of Homeland Security identified attacks3872from these groups as the highest threat to New Jersey. But3873inexplicably, the administration, the Trump administration, is3874redirecting counterterrorism personnel and funds that should be3875used to fight home-grown domestic terrorism.3876    For example, the FBI field offices across the country has3877been ordered to reassign agents away from our counterterrorism3878and counterintelligence. Recent antisemitic attacks at the3879capital Jewish museum in Washington, DC and in Boulder,3880Colorado, underscore the urgent need to double down on efforts3881to combat domestic terrorism and simply not walk away from3882them.3883    So with that said, Mr. Segal, how does redirecting, once3884again, Federal resources from the home-grown extremists and3885domestic terrorists affects the safety and security of the3886Jewish community?3887    Mr. Segal. It affects the safety and security of the Jewish3888community. We need to seize this moment now when the Jewish3889community is in a crisis of violence and antisemitic incidents3890targeting the Jewish community to make sure that we are using3891every opportunity to uplift. Invest in, not contract, funding3892in those entities that will help protect the Jewish community.3893    Ms. Pou. So, I know I have 5 seconds but let me just say I3894hope that you are sharing that thought and making that3895statement to the front office, the White House, so that these3896funds can do exactly what you are talking about and making sure3897to protect that because that is not happening.3898    Mr. Pfluger. The gentlelady----3899    Ms. Pou. I yield back, Mr. Chairman. Thank you so very3900much.3901    Mr. Pfluger. I am sorry for mispronouncing your name, Ms.3902Pou earlier.3903    I will now recognize Ranking Member for a very brief3904closing statement. I will follow as well.3905    Mr. Magaziner. So, again, I want to thank the Chairman for3906calling a hearing on this absolutely essential topic.3907    Thank our witnesses for doing an excellent job today and3908coming, I think, with a very thoughtful and also productive3909approach to this hearing and giving us some good3910recommendations that we should absolutely consider and act on.3911    Look, a lot has been said already. I will just say it3912again. I think both in Congress and from the administration3913when it comes to combating violent antisemitism we need not3914just rhetoric but also resources. That is important and it3915cannot be overstated.3916    So, I am going to continue to fight for those resources. I3917hope and I expect that we will have bipartisan support in that3918effort and that we will all continue to find the inspiration to3919call out antisemitic hate wherever it exists, that we will3920continue to work together to meet this moment that we are in,3921and combat the culture of hate that, unfortunately, has taken3922root across much of our society.3923    I will end, I opened by referencing President Washington's3924visit to the Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island. It was3925an important signal, you know, 235 years ago from our first3926President that he wanted our country to be a place that was3927welcoming to all faiths and particularly the Jewish faith.3928    The building still stands. If you ever find yourselves in3929Rhode Island I encourage you to visit it. It is quite moving3930and inspirational.3931    In advance of his visit, he wrote a letter to the3932congregation that I will quote from it and from now on, and3933hopefully his words can inspire us as it inspired Americans in3934his time.3935    He wrote, ``May the children of the stock of Abraham who3936dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the goodwill of3937the other inhabitants while everyone shall sit in safety under3938his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him3939afraid. My the father of all mercies scatter light and not3940darkness in our paths and make all of us in our vocations3941useful here and in his own due time and way everlastingly3942happy.''3943    With that, I will yield back.3944    Mr. Pfluger. I think the Ranking Member.3945    I think our witnesses agree with the Ranking Member on the3946thoughtful dialog today with recommendations that are very3947helpful.3948    I will note as an observation that there is a movement in3949our country to stifle free speech. It is real. It is happening3950in many different places. It is happening in universities. It3951is happening, in fact, in the last administration with the3952thought of the disinformation board to be run by this3953department, the Homeland Security Department, a horrible idea.3954    So, we balance the safety and security of our citizens with3955free speech, and this is a hard thing. The testimony that we3956have heard from each of you has been very helpful to balance3957that.3958    When protected speech turns into violence, when it turns3959into the threat of violence, when it turns into the inciting of3960violence is where we cross over that threshold. We will3961struggle with that here.3962    I am very glad to hear my colleague from New York talk3963about those who have made horribly not just insensitive but3964false and violent statements from one party or another. In the3965case that I believe that my colleague from New York was3966referring to those in his own party, and we do need to call out3967those who are making egregious and what can be referred to as3968inciting violent type of statements.3969    I don't think it is just funding. I do think we need3970funding but it is not just funding. It is policy. It is a3971willingness. It is the political will to stand up to an3972antisemitic mindset that, unfortunately, has permeated our3973society. It is a willingness to prosecute in places that are3974not upholding law and order.3975    Whether it is an anti-ICE protest that turns violent or it3976is an antisemitic protest that turns violent, it is an3977unwillingness to prosecute those that is way more important3978than any sort of funding could ever be. I think we know this3979because not a single law changed, not a single amount of3980funding changed and the border immediately became secure.3981    So, yes, we will work on funding where we need it. I agree3982with the Ranking Member that where we can put good resources to3983use we will.3984    But what I would really like to call on is, and if this is3985equally across the spectrum a problem as has been testified to3986today, which I am not sure that I believe that, but if it is3987then I hope that we will be able to call it out, because right3988now we do see an ideology that has permeated in a far left3989mentality that has attracted thousands of people.3990    I hope that I can count on the Ranking Member to call that3991out. If and when we find out that there is an ideology that is3992associated with the other side that we can do the same. I think3993the safety and security of the Jewish community has been3994threatened.3995    I am glad that we are holding this hearing to figure out3996some of the facts with more research to be done to understand3997where legislation can be helpful and what we need to do to take3998the next steps because this isn't a bipartisan issue. This is a3999nonpartisan issue.4000    It is not just the Jewish community. It is every community4001that could be targeted in one way or another. We 100 percent4002have to recognize that, but right now it is the Jewish4003community that is being targeted and that is unacceptable.4004    So, I thank the Ranking Member and the Members who joined4005this hearing. I thank our witnesses and commit to continuing to4006combat this and continuing to find good solutions.4007    I want to say to the Members of the subcommittee that if4008you have additional questions for the witnesses we would ask4009the witnesses to respond to those in writing. Pursuant to our4010committee rule (VII)E, the hearing record will be open for the4011next 10 days.4012    Without objection, the subcommittee stands adjourned.4013    [Whereupon, at 12:24 p.m., the subcommittee was adjourned.]40144015                             [all]