Jewish Groups Cite San Diego Mosque Shooting in Push for Federal Security Funds

The recent fatal shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego is a stark reminder of the pervasive threat of hate-motivated violence facing religious communities across the nation. As Jewish groups, we are heartbroken by this attack and unequivocally condemn the Islamophobia that fueled it. This incident, tragically echoing recent attacks on synagogues, underscores the urgent need for robust federal funding to enhance security at all houses of worship.

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We are heartbroken by today’s attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego. Islamophobia has no place in California or anywhere in this country.

We are committed to working with our colleagues to strengthen protections for all communities targeted by hate. The chilling reality is that rising anti-Muslim sentiment, coupled with the gutting of anti-hate programs, leaves too many vulnerable and afraid. The attack, which forced nearby schools, including a Hebrew charter school, into lockdown, demonstrates the far-reaching impact of such violence.

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We are committed to working with our colleagues to strengthen protections for houses of worship and combat hate-motivated violence.

The images from San Diego are all too familiar to us. The robust security training at Temple Israel in Michigan, for example, was credited with halting an attack where children were present. This is why we are advocating for $1 billion in federal security funding. This is not merely a request; it is a necessity to protect religious communities from threats that are real, urgent, and growing. This funding would more than double current federal spending on security, reflecting the gravity of the situation.

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We are safe and we’re following the direction of the police.