San Antonio police, Jewish temples on alert after call for 'Day of Jihad'

A former Hamas leader's call for violence has increased vigilance in the Alamo City.

People light candles during the 'Jewish Community Vigil' for Israel in London, Monday, Oct. 9, 2023 two days after Hamas fighters launched an unprecedented, multi-front attack on Israel which killed more than 700 people. The militants blew through a fortified border fence and gunned down civilians and soldiers in Israeli communities along the Gaza frontier during a Jewish holiday.
Kin Cheung/AP

MYSA
By Zachary-Taylor Wright
Updated October 13, 2023 8:24 a.m.

The war breaking out between Israel and Hamas has far-flung impacts, creating unrest and fear across the globe. The effects of the middle eastern conflicts can even be felt in the Alamo City as local law enforcement announces it's on high alert and a Jewish community center tightens security after a former Hamas leader called for a “Day of Jihad.”

The San Antonio Police Department issued a statement Thursday evening, October 12, in response to information from the Southwest Texas Fusion Center — a state agency which compiles and shares information about threats or hazards and works with local agencies to address them.

“SAPD is acutely aware of the devastation that occurred over this past weekend in Israel and the subsequent Israeli response. We are also aware that a former Hamas leader is calling for a ‘Global Day of Jihad’ to occur on Friday, October 13,” a statement from SAPD’s public information office reads. “The SAPD Southwest Texas Fusion Center (SWTXFC) is working closely with its local, state, and federal partners to remain alert and informed of any possible threats in the City of San Antonio and our surrounding area of responsibility. Currently, the SWTXFC has no indications of any credible threats.  Even though there are no known threats at this time, we encourage everyone to remain vigilant and aware of current world events and how they may impact us locally.  As always, if you see something, say something.”

In response to growing concerns and tensions felt in San Antonio, the Barshop Jewish Community Center — located on the city’s Northside — has decided to limit its number of entry points and up its security measures.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we are closing the East entrance and walkway leading to the campus for the time being,” a statement from the Jewish community center reads. “And you will likely see additional security throughout campus. These changes will be effective [Thursday] morning, and we will update you once the walkway and East entrance reopen. While there is currently no credible threat to our city or the campus, as the situations has intensified globally, we believe this is an appropriate change.”

Other Jewish temples have opted to gather in solidarity to pray for those impacted by the growing tragedy in Israel, including the Chabad Center for Jewish Life & Learning and Temple Beth-El. The latter opted to share joyful images from its recent Shabbat, noting that members of the Jewish faith have the innate ability to celebrate life amid tragedy.

“Though there is war in Israel and our hearts break in the face of this unfolding tragedy, we know that Judaism’s greatest strength is to celebrate life even in the most challenging situations,” a statement from Temple Beth-El reads. “This past Shabbat, our congregation had a joyful and spirited Simchat Torah celebration. Am Yisrael Chai!”

What is jihad?

Jihad refers to a concept where members of Islam fight against those in opposition of the religion, with Britannica saying, “Throughout Islamic history, wars against non-Muslims, even when motivated by political and secular concerns, were termed jihads to grant them religious legitimacy.”