Major US cities step up security ahead of protests over Israel-Hamas conflict

FBI reports ‘calls for global action’ Friday, following attack by Hamas on Israel and Israel’s subsequent retaliation on Gaza

Major US cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington DC have stepped up security for residents, especially around Jewish and Muslim places of worship, ahead of expected protests on Friday and any threats of violence over the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East.

Leave has been canceled for police officers in several major cities, with security heightened around sites such as synagogues, schools and the Israeli embassy in Washington. Protests are expected in the Middle East and the US on Friday after Khaled Mashal, Hamas’ former leader, called for a global day of “anger” to send a “message of rage to Zionists and to America”.