The U.S. State Department has issued a global appeal to enhance security measures at synagogues, Jewish institutions, and community events in the run-up to the High Holy Days. In a directive sent Wednesday evening to American diplomatic missions worldwide, U.S. diplomats were instructed to engage with host governments and urge them to substantially increase protective deployments, including the use of police, counterterrorism units, and, where appropriate, military personnel.

The guidance goes beyond safeguarding synagogue buildings, emphasizing the need to secure residential areas with significant Jewish populations as well as the routes commonly traveled by worshipers. The department highlighted that such routes are often predictable in timing and appearance, with worshipers sometimes wearing attire identifying them as Jewish, which may increase vulnerability.

In addition to physical security enhancements, American posts were advised to coordinate closely with local authorities to facilitate threat briefings targeting Jewish organizations, community security groups, and businesses in anticipation of the holidays. An unusual component of the directive recommends establishing mechanisms to deliver urgent threat alerts on Shabbat and Jewish holidays to observant Jews who refrain from using electronic devices during these times.

A source familiar with the matter confirmed that a similar advisory was issued prior to Passover, reflecting ongoing concern by the U.S. government about rising antisemitism worldwide.

The directive follows data showing a steady increase in antisemitic incidents. Recently released Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) statistics for 2025 reveal a continuation of a troubling trend of hate crimes targeting the Jewish community in the United States. Though Jews constitute approximately 2% of the U.S. population, they were victims in nearly two-thirds (63%) of all religiously motivated hate crimes reported last year.

In several states, Jews accounted for 90% or more of such incidents. The year 2025 marked the third consecutive year with record-high numbers of antisemitic hate crimes, following peak levels in 2023 and 2024.

An analysis by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) of FBI data indicated that 1,528 antisemitic hate crime incidents were documented in 2025 where antisemitism was identified as the sole motivation. These represented a significant portion of the 2,408 religiously motivated hate crimes nationwide. Beyond religious motives, Jews were the targets of 14% of all reported hate crimes in the United States last year.

This latest advisory by the State Department reflects escalating concerns about the safety of Jewish communities globally amid persistent and increasing threats of violence and harassment.