Friday, October 13: Austin Mayor Kirk Watson responds to potential for violent threats against the Jewish community

While the brutal terrorist attack on Israel and Israel’s war against Hamas may be happening across the globe, on Wednesday, October 11, media outlets across the country began reporting that Hamas had released messages, encouraging followers to target the Jewish community with violence tomorrow, Friday, October 13, including here in the United States.

We have not received any information to believe that a threat is imminent here in Austin. However, our Austin Police and Homeland Security & Emergency Management departments are on high alert to help prevent and respond to any act of violence that may be attempted. Our teams will remain ever vigilant, and I am personally in close contact with leaders of Austin’s Jewish institutions and congregations.

I want to assure our Jewish community that we take these terroristic threats seriously and are in full support of providing protection as needed.

-Austin Mayor Kirk Watson