Following the horrific wave of terror perpetrated by Hamas against Israel, Texas law enforcement officials are asking citizens to be on guard against potential terror attacks against Jewish communities in the state.
As reported by The Dallas Express, Gov. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation ordering sanctions against the Gaza Strip and any state sponsors of Hamas. Furthermore, he expedited over $4 million in grants to Jewish organizations to increase safety measures.
Lastly, Abbott “directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to work with local partners and federal intelligence agencies on heightened public safety measures, with an intensified focus by the Joint Terrorism Task Force and Texas Fusion Center to elevate awareness about potential threats by Hamas or Hezbollah organizations against the Jewish community in Texas.”
In response to the governor’s directive, the Texas DPS has taken steps to increase security in the state against possible terrorist attacks.
DPS explained that it is working “with local partners and federal intelligence agencies on heightened public safety measures in light of the recent attacks against Israel.”
The department noted, “At this time, DPS is not aware of any specific and credible threats to Texas.”
“However, the department does have concerns the current conflict could inspire homegrown violent extremists and foreign terrorist organizations operating in the United States to target the Jewish community and institutions associated with Israel outside of the Middle East,” DPS warned.
“The department encourages Texans to remain vigilant at all times and report any suspicious activity,” it further read, enumerating the possible ways to confidentially report suspicious activity.
The warning comes shortly after Khaled Meshaal, a key Hamas chief until 2017, demanded “all nations” to “join in the fight,” per Newsweek.
“Gaza is calling you for help, with relief and money, with whatever you own, whoever can help, this is the moment of truth,” he continued.
Beyond merely financial aid, however, Meshaal added, “To all scholars who teach jihad for the sake of God and who preach the fighters and martyrs, to all who teach and learn, this is a moment of application, so that words are not just words.”
Specifically, he called for Friday, October 13, as “a day of general mobilization in our Arab and Islamic world and among the free people of the world,” per the Mirror.
“It is a day for sacrifice, heroism and dedication and to earn the honor of defending the first Qibla of Muslims, the third holiest mosque, and the ascension of the trusted Messenger,” he declared.
Compounding the issue are concerns that Hamas-affiliated sleeper cells have entered America through the southern border.
Lora Ries, a border security expert at the Heritage Foundation, suggested that due to the millions of unlawful migrants who have entered the country during the Biden presidency, “We have to assume that the sleeper cells of terrorists are here inside the U.S.,” per Fox News.
“With the Hamas, pro-Hamas protests in the U.S. this week in New York City and elsewhere,” she continued. “That was a very public signal to say, ‘Yes, we’re here.’”
As reported by The Dallas Express, pro-Hamas groups in Dallas have rallied around the corner from the Dallas Holocaust Museum and called for the elimination of the Israeli state.
“There is only one solution,” the crowd cheered. “Intifada revolution.”
The Dallas City Council has unanimously condemned the Hamas terror attacks against Israel. However, public speakers warned that the resolution “will not keep us safe.”
One speaker, Jo Hargis, said, “There will never be peace while Palestinians are imprisoned in Gaza.”
