Increase in Threats Against American Jews, Muslims, and Arabs; U.S. Attorney General: We Are Committed to Pursuing Criminals

Merrick Garland, the U.S. Attorney General, reported on Wednesday a significant increase in threats against Jews, Muslims, and Arab Americans in recent weeks. In a speech at the 'Hate Crimes Association,' Garland stated that these threats include violence, insults, and discrimination. He emphasized that the Department of Justice is committed to pursuing the criminals behind these threats. Garland referenced the arrest of Patrick Dai, a 21-year-old Cornell University student, for threatening to kill or injure Jews on campus. Dai was arrested and charged with making threats of violence. Garland stated that the Department of Justice has zero tolerance for violence or threats stemming from anti-Semitism or Islamophobia. He expressed, 'I feel the fear, frustration, and isolation that many of you have felt over the past few weeks. I want to reiterate a core principle of this Department of Justice: No individual and no community in this country should live in fear of violence fueled by hate.' The president of Cornell University in New York, on Tuesday, reported an increase in 'violent threats against Jewish students at the university' and stated that security officials have been informed. Martha Pollack said in the statement that 'violent threats against Jewish students at this university are absolutely intolerable, and we will work to ensure that the individual or individuals who sent them are prosecuted under the law.' The Hamas militants, supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran, killed at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians, in several terrorist attacks on Israeli soil on October 7. This militant group also took over 200 hostages during these attacks. In response to these terrorist attacks, the Israeli government declared war against Hamas and Hamas-supporting militant groups. In the past three weeks, clashes between the Israeli army and Palestinian militant groups have continued, and since last Friday, the Israeli army has begun ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which have intensified in recent days. Shahla Arasteh reports on warnings from U.S. senators regarding threats from the Islamic Republic and its proxy forces. The World Health Organization warns: Gaza is on the brink of a 'public health disaster.' Mike Johnson wants to put an independent plan to help Israel to a vote. Biden: Americans will leave Gaza starting today.