NORFOLK, Va. — Gov. Glenn Youngkin is pushing for safety measures in wake of what he is calling a "massive increase" in antisemitic acts across the state.
Many of these acts are triggered by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. They escalated after the October 7 attacks when Hamas fighters breached a border security fence and gunned down Israeli civilians, killing more than 1,400 people and hurting 4,500 more.
Tuesday, the governor issued an executive order in response. It instructs law enforcement to increase information exchange and resource coordination on potential threats or wrongful acts, according to the governor's press release.
It also directs the Virginia Fusion Center, a partnership between state police and Virginia emergency management officials, to run at a “heightened state of alert.” It asks the Department of Criminal Justice Services to expedite the disbursement of grant money available to individuals or institutions “confronting threats on the basis of their religious beliefs or ethnicity" to support safety and security initiatives.
Virginia's higher education institutions are also asked to submit updated comprehensive safety plans and instructs school divisions to promote safety resources.
"I would echo that directive and call on university presidents across Virginia to unequivocally condemn Hamas, express support for Israel, and protect Jewish students," Betty Ann Levin, CEO of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, said.
Levin said her community in Norfolk and other parts of Hampton Roads are no strangers to the antisemitic acts, even before the Hamas attack that triggered the war in Israel.
"It's not good atmosphere in this country in terms of hate. We saw antisemitic flyers spread throughout Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and other communities, spewing misinformation and hate. There were posts all over social media pages," Levin explained.
Levin said she and other leaders of her organization have been working with law enforcement over the years to enhance security. She and others have been worried for years when it comes to people committing such acts against them. However, Levin said heightened security isn't the only solution to this on-going problem.
"I would ask everybody stand up against hate. Not only stand up for Israel and against these barbaric acts that killed over 1,400 Israelis, but stand up against hate because it was happening before October 7."
Youngkin said his executive order is not just to protect Jewish communities, but all religions, including those of Islamic faith, who are concerned about backlash.