Newsom expands security funding for places of worship amid ‘horror’ in Middle East

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) announced Thursday the expansion of security funding for worship places in the state, amid the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel. 

In a news release, Newsom said he was authorizing $10 million in state funding to immediately increase police presence at places of worship.

He is also authorizing an additional $20 million investment in the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program to provide physical security enhancements to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk for violent attacks and hate crimes.

The program would fund upgrades including reinforced doors and gates, high-intensity lighting and alarms and access control at places of worship. It also promotes emergency preparedness coordination efforts. 

Religious institutions have until Oct. 27 to apply for the program, the news release said. 

The $10 million in funding will also “reimburse local law enforcement agencies for overtime costs in support of faith communities through in-person security presence at religious institutions and places of worship,” the release said. 

The state will also reimburse local governments for the increased costs to help residents feel safe within their communities, noting that funding is available and being administered through the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

“Amid the horror unfolding in the Middle East following the unconscionable terrorist attacks in Israel, California is authorizing the immediate deployment of funds to increase security and police presence at places of worship across the state,” Newsom said in a statement. “No matter how and where one prays, every Californian deserves to be safe.”

The announcement comes as FBI Director Christopher Wray issued a warning that communities should be wary of the possibility for domestic actions related to the Middle East fighting.

“We’re particularly vigilant to the possibility that lone actors in the United States could in some way, out of inspiration, misguided inspiration that they draw from the conflict in the Middle East,” Wray said in a Thursday interview with Fox News. 

“We’re constantly making sure that we have got the latest intelligence, that we’re looking at all the intelligence that’s available in the right way, testing our own assumptions, our own prior assessments, to make sure that we have anticipated any threats that can arise,” Wray added. 

Hamas, recognized as a terrorist organization by the U.S., launched an attack on Israel nearly two weeks ago that left 1,400 people dead. Most of those killed were civilians. In response, Israel launched retaliatory attacks on Gaza, an area controlled by Hamas, that have killed more than 3,000 people.

The U.S. has offered its backing for Israel to defend itself and go after Hamas in response to the initial attack, while calling for steps to protect civilians.