WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ore. — Earlier this week, the director of the FBI warned of an increased risk of reported threats against both Jewish and Muslim Americans since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. One of those threats reportedly happened outside Portland, targeting members of the oldest official Muslim organization in Oregon.
In a message posted Monday on the Islamic Society of Greater Portland's website, organization leaders wrote that they're "deeply saddened and concerned by the recent threats directed at our community members." The post went on to say that their "primary concern is the safety and well-being of all" and that they've reported the threat or threats to local law enforcement. The message ends with a call for "peace and understanding during these challenging times" and for everyone "to remember that violence and hatred solve nothing."
In a statement from the Washington County Sheriff's Office:
"We take this very seriously and are investigating and working closely with ISGP, as well as our local and federal law enforcement partners. To ensure the safety of the ISGP and its members, we joined with our local partners and increased patrols around Mosques in and around the area. As always, we encourage community members to report to their local law enforcement agency if they become aware of any threats to our community. Working together, we can best maintain everyone’s safety."
The response to the local Jewish and Muslim American communities comes amid growing tensions in the Middle East, as the Israel-Hamas war rages on. The Research and Advocacy Director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Corey Saylor, told KGW there has been a wave of incidents since Oct. 7, from targeted threats to actual violence.
On Saturday, near Chicago, a 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy died after he was stabbed to death in what officials are calling an anti-Muslim attack. Saylor said that horrific crime speaks volumes.
"Islamophobia is just sort of waiting for a switch to flip," he said. "... We're sort of right back to where we were when, for instance, Donald Trump announced that he was planning on banning Muslims from this country. ... We're getting waves of incidents. The anti-Arab bias is shocking. The anti-Muslim bias is shocking, and it didn't take very much, so it makes you wonder where we come as a nation at this point in time... we have a significant history with racism."
He said it's critical for communities experiencing threats, or hate and bias crimes, to report these incidents to the appropriate authorities.
"Too often people in Muslim and other targeted communities feel like it's either the norm like this is just how we're expect to get treated, so they're not going to report it, or they can find themselves hesitant because of their fear, and in both cases the real best thing you can do is speak out ... and be strong. We find that the communities that do so find that supporters come out of the woodwork."
Portland's FBI Field Office's Special Agent in Charge Kieran Ramsey released this statement in regard to targeted threats to certain communities amid the ongoing war:
“We saw something brutal and barbaric happen halfway around the globe, and there is a valid reason for communities across our country to be in a heightened state of vigilance; that is not to say that they should be fearful. The FBI is increasing our engagement with our religious and community partners, and we want to make sure the communities are part of the solution, so we don’t let something tragic happen in our own backyard. We want to remind the public that if you see something with immediate safety concerns, contact 911; if you see something you want to report to the FBI, call us at 1-800-CALL-FBI or report a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.”