Overview
Ebrahim Raisi was the president of Iran from June 2021 until his death in May 2024.“Iran's new hardline President Ebrahim Raisi sworn in,” BBC News, August 5, 2021, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-58097195. He previously served as chief of Iran’s judiciary and deputy chair of the powerful Assembly of Experts, which is responsible for the succession of the supreme leader. Raisi was a religious and political hardliner whose devotion to the regime and close relationship with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei made him a potential successor to Khamenei. The United States sanctioned Raisi in 2019 after he was appointed to lead Iran’s judiciary, which is accused of torturing and abusing prisoners.“Treasury Designates Supreme Leader of Iran’s Inner Circle Responsible for Advancing Regime’s Domestic and Foreign Oppression,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, November 4, 2019, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm824; Alex Vatanka, “The Supreme Leader’s Apprentice Is Running for President,” Foreign Policy, April 12, 2017, https://foreignpolicy.com/2017/04/12/irans-supreme-leader-has-picked-his-candidate-for-president/; Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, “Hardline Iranian cleric consolidates leadership position,” Reuters, March 12, 2019, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-judiciary-raisi-newsmaker/hardline-iranian-cleric-consolidates-leadership-position-idUSKBN1QT1GO. Raisi won Iran’s June 2021 presidential election, which many observers said was designed to favor him.“Iran election: Hardliner Raisi will become president,” BBC News, June 20, 2021, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-57537027. Raisi died in a helicopter crash on May 19, 2024.Parisa Hafezi and Yomna Mohamed, “Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, hardline ally of Supreme Leader, killed in helicopter crash,” Reuters, May 20, 2024, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hopes-fade-wreckage-found-helicopter-carrying-iranian-president-raisi-2024-05-20/.
As he seized control of Iran during the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Ruhollah Khomeini instituted a new Islamist agenda that has become known as Khomeinism. After the revolution, a teenage Raisi was allegedly one of 70 students selected to participate in courses on Khomeinist governance and policy. During these courses Raisi first met Khamenei, who was one of the instructors. Raisi went on to become a law clerk in Karaj.Alex Vatanka, “The Supreme Leader’s Apprentice Is Running for President,” Foreign Policy, April 12, 2017, https://foreignpolicy.com/2017/04/12/irans-supreme-leader-has-picked-his-candidate-for-president/. At age 20, Raisi became the district attorney of Karaj. He later went on to serve as deputy prosecutor-general and then prosecutor-general of Tehran, which he served as until 1994.“Ebrahim Raeesi Was Officially Appointed as the Chief of Iran’s Judiciary,” Iran International, March 7, 2019, https://iranintl.com/en/iran/ebrahim-raeesi-was-officially-appointed-chief-iran%E2%80%99s-judiciary. Raisi’s tenure was marked by mass execution of political opponents. In the summer of 1988, for example, Raisi oversaw the execution of an estimated 5,000 political prisoners under Khomeini’s orders. Raisi reportedly drew the attention of Khomeini, who appointed him as a judge at Evin prison, Iran’s primary facility for political prisoners.Golnaz Esfandiari, “In Iran, Emerging Hard-Liner Stakes Future On Unseating Rohani,” Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, April 6, 2017, https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-presidential-election-candidate-hard-liner-ebrahim-raisi/28414689.html. Amnesty International has accused Raisi of being part of a “death committee,” a panel of four judges who oversaw secret death sentences of about 5,000 prisoners buried in mass graves that are “systematically concealed by the Iranian authorities.”“Iran election: Hardliner Raisi will become president,” BBC News, June 20, 2021, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-57537027. After serving as Tehran’s prosecutor-general, Raisi spent 10 years as head of the General Inspection Office of Iran. His tenure became known for his hardline on corruption.“Ebrahim Raisi: Chief Justice of Iran,” United Against Nuclear Iran, accessed December 8, 2020, https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/ebrahim-raisi-chief-justice-of-iran.
Raisi’s career continued to ascend under Khomeini’s successor, Khamenei. After beginning his legal career, Raisi married the daughter of regime hardliner Ayatollah Alam al-Hoda. Raisi leveraged the close relationship Hoda formed with Khamenei after the latter’s ascent to the role of supreme leader in 1989.Alex Vatanka, “The Supreme Leader’s Apprentice Is Running for President,” Foreign Policy, April 12, 2017, https://foreignpolicy.com/2017/04/12/irans-supreme-leader-has-picked-his-candidate-for-president/. In 2004, Raisi assumed the role of first deputy chief justice of Iran’s judiciary.“Ebrahim Raeesi Was Officially Appointed as the Chief of Iran’s Judiciary,” Iran International, March 7, 2019, https://iranintl.com/en/iran/ebrahim-raeesi-was-officially-appointed-chief-iran%E2%80%99s-judiciary; “Ebrahim Raisi: Chief Justice of Iran,” United Against Nuclear Iran, accessed December 8, 2020, https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/ebrahim-raisi-chief-justice-of-iran. In 2006, Raisi joined Iran’s Assembly of Experts. In 2013, Raisi became lead prosecutor for the Special Court of the Clergy, the office that punishes dissenting voices among Iran’s religious class.Alex Vatanka, “The Supreme Leader’s Apprentice Is Running for President,” Foreign Policy, April 12, 2017, https://foreignpolicy.com/2017/04/12/irans-supreme-leader-has-picked-his-candidate-for-president/. In 2014, Raisi began a two-year term as Iran’s attorney general.“Ebrahim Raeesi Was Officially Appointed as the Chief of Iran’s Judiciary,” Iran International, March 7, 2019, https://iranintl.com/en/iran/ebrahim-raeesi-was-officially-appointed-chief-iran%E2%80%99s-judiciary; “Ebrahim Raisi: Chief Justice of Iran,” United Against Nuclear Iran, accessed December 8, 2020, https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/ebrahim-raisi-chief-justice-of-iran. In 2016, Khamenei appointed Raisi the head of Astan Qods Razavi, which oversees a multibillion-dollar religious foundation that manages donations to the Iman Reza Shrine in the city of Mashhad.Golnaz Esfandiari, “In Iran, Emerging Hard-Liner Stakes Future On Unseating Rohani,” Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, April 6, 2017, https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-presidential-election-candidate-hard-liner-ebrahim-raisi/28414689.html; Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, “Hardline cleric Raisi to take on Rouhani in Iran’s presidential election,” Reuters, April 9, 2017, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-elections-raisi-idUSKBN17B0DZ. Raisi’s appointments fueled speculation that Khamenei favored him as the shrine is Iran’s holiest Shiite pilgrimage site and a steady source of revenue for the country.Alex Vatanka, “The Supreme Leader’s Apprentice Is Running for President,” Foreign Policy, April 12, 2017, https://foreignpolicy.com/2017/04/12/irans-supreme-leader-has-picked-his-candidate-for-president/.
Raisi sought to capitalize on his favor in the regime by challenging the more moderate President Hassan Rouhani in Iran’s May 2017 elections. Raisi blamed Rouhani’s nuclear negotiations with the West for weakening Iran’s global and domestic standings. In particular, Raisi attacked Rouhani on his economic policy and claimed Iran continued to underperform even after negotiating a deal with Western powers to lift economic sanctions in exchange for limiting the country’s nuclear development.Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, “Hardline cleric Raisi to take on Rouhani in Iran’s presidential election,” Reuters, April 9, 2017, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-elections-raisi-idUSKBN17B0DZ. Rouhani won re-election with more than 23 million votes to Raisi’s 15.8 million.Emma Graham-Harrison and Saeed Kamali Dehghan, “Iran: Hassan Rouhani wins landslide in huge victory for reformists,” Guardian (London), May 20, 2017, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/20/iran-hassan-rouhani-set-for-landslide-in-huge-victory-for-reformists. The loss did not dimmish Raisi’s standing with Khamenei, however. On March 7, 2019, Khamenei appointed Raisi head of Iran’s judiciary, replacing Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani. The appointment lasts for a period of five years. Less than a week later, Raisi was elected deputy chief of the Assembly of Experts.Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, “Hardline Iranian cleric consolidates leadership position,” Reuters, March 12, 2019, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-judiciary-raisi-newsmaker/hardline-iranian-cleric-consolidates-leadership-position-idUSKBN1QT1GO; “Ebrahim Raeesi Was Officially Appointed as the Chief of Iran’s Judiciary,” Iran International, March 7, 2019, https://iranintl.com/en/iran/ebrahim-raeesi-was-officially-appointed-chief-iran%E2%80%99s-judiciary.
Raisi’s appointments to the head of the judiciary and deputy chief of the Assembly of Experts demonstrated that he continued to remain in Khamenei’s favor. His sustained presence in the Iranian government and his perceived position as a Khamenei protégé have made him one of the top candidates speculated to succeed Khamenei, according to regional observers.
Raisi ran again for Iran’s presidency in June 2021, promising to fight corruption. Unlike in 2017, Raisi received the support of the regime. Other prominent candidates were barred from the election, leaving Raisi as the primary conservative in the race and the government favorite. Election observers posited the election was designed to favor Raisi. Raisi’s victory appeared assured as Iranians voted on June 18, 2021.“Iranians vote in election all but guaranteed to deliver an ultra-conservative president,” CNN, June 18, 2021, https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/18/middleeast/iran-election-voting-intl/index.html. Raisi was declared the winner on June 19 after winning 62 percent of the vote. He promised to “form a hard-working, revolutionary and anti-corruption government.”“Iran election: Israel PM warns world of Ebrahim Raisi,” BBC News, June 19, 2021, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-57541346; “Iran election: Hardliner Raisi will become president,” BBC News, June 20, 2021, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-57537027. Pointing to Raisi’s connection to human rights abuses in Iranian prisons, Amnesty International Secretary-General Agnès Callamard called his election “a grim reminder that impunity reigns supreme in Iran.”“Iran election: Hardliner Raisi will become president,” BBC News, June 20, 2021, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-57537027. Responding to Raisi’s election, newly installed Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warned Iran’s regime continued to seek the development of nuclear weapons.“Iran election: Israel PM warns world of Ebrahim Raisi,” BBC News, June 19, 2021, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-57541346. On June 21, Raisi called for the United States to return to the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran, which former U.S. President Donald Trump left in 2018. At the same time, Raisi said he would not meet with President Joe Biden even if the United States returned to the agreement.Tamara Qiblawi, Frederik Pleitgen, Claudia Otto, Ramin Mostaghim, and Lauren Said-Moorhouse, Iran's hardline president-elect Ebrahim Raisi says he will not meet with Biden,” CNN, June 21, 2021, https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/21/middleeast/ebrahim-raisi-iran-president-news-conference-intl/index.html.
On August 3, 2021, Khamenei officially endorsed Raisi as Iran’s next president during a ceremony in Tehran. Raisi pledged to continue international nuclear talks while also promising to take steps to lift the “tyrannical” U.S. sanctions on Iran.Parisa Hafezi, “Incoming president says Iran will seek end to 'tyrannical' US sanctions,” Reuters, August 3, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/irans-new-president-raisi-says-he-will-take-steps-lift-us-sanctions-2021-08-03/. Raisi was sworn in as president on August 5.“Iran's new hardline President Ebrahim Raisi sworn in,” BBC News, August 5, 2021, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-58097195. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) leader Ziad al-Nakhalah attended the inauguration.Aaron Boxerman, “Hamas, Islamic Jihad leaders arrive in Tehran for Iran president’s inauguration,” Times of Israel, August 5, 2021, https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/hamas-islamic-jihad-leaders-arrive-in-tehran-for-iran-presidents-inauguration/. After he was sworn in, Raisi called for the lifting of all “illegal US sanctions against the Iranian nation” while voicing support for “any diplomatic plans” to lift sanctions.“Iran's new hardline President Ebrahim Raisi sworn in,” BBC News, August 5, 2021, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-58097195.
Raisi pledged Iran’s continued support of the Palestinians against Israel, while also denouncing normalization as stabbing the Palestinians in the back.“Normalization with Israel a stab in the back of Palestine: Raisi,” Tehran Times, April 15, 2023, https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/483688/Normalization-with-Israel-a-stab-in-the-back-of-Palestine-Raisi. During an April 9, 2023, phone call with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Raisi declared world opinion is shifting away from Israel and toward the so-called Iranian axis of resistance.“In phone call, Iran’s Raisi, Syria’s Assad tout ‘weakness’ and ‘collapse’ of Israel,” Times of Israel, April 9, 2023, https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-phone-call-irans-raisi-syrias-assad-tout-weakness-and-collapse-of-israel/. In an April 13 phone call with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Raisi expressed his desire to see a united Muslim front end what he called Zionist atrocities.“Raisi calls for united Muslim front against Zionist regime,” Tehran Times, April 14, 2023, https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/483644/Raisi-calls-for-united-Muslim-front-against-Zionist-regime. On April 14, Raisi addressed militants in the Gaza Strip during a virtual rally for Iran’s annual Quds Day (“Jerusalem Day”). Deceased Iranian Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini instituted the annual commemoration on the last Friday of Ramadan as a day of protest against Israel. In his first address directed solely to the Gaza Strip, Raisi encouraged the gathered members of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad to continue their violent struggle against Israel. Raisi told the militants the “initiative to self-determination is today in the hands of the Palestinian fighters.”Fares Akram, “In first, Iran’s president addresses Palestinians in Gaza,” Associated Press, April 14, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/iran-palestinians-gaza-jerusalem-256ccdd3029ba63f8b19302a6640b363.
On October 7, 2023, one day after the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, Hamas launched a massive surprise attack on Israel, overrunning the border with gunmen while launching thousands of rockets. The attack killed 1,200 while Hamas and PIJ took more than 240 others hostage. On October 9, Raisi held a phone call with PIJ’s Nakhalah, during which Raisi praised the “brilliant and impressive victories” of the “Palestinian resistance.”Gianluca Pacchiani, “Iran president praises ‘innovative operation’ in call with Islamic Jihad chief,” Times of Israel, October 9, 2023, https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/iran-president-praises-innovative-operation-in-call-with-islamic-jihad-chief/. Iran denied a role in the attack and the U.S. government said initially it had not seen evidence of direct Iranian involvement. The Wall Street Journal reported several senior Hamas and Hezbollah sources confirmed the participation of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officials in planning the attack in meetings in Beirut in August 2023. According to those officials, the IRGC had provided a greenlight for the attack in September.Summer Said, Benoit Faucon, and Stephen Kalin, “Iran Helped Plot Attack on Israel Over Several Weeks,” Wall Street Journal, October 8, 2023, https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-israel-hamas-strike-planning-bbe07b25. Following October 7, Israel declared war on Hamas and launched Operation Swords of Iron to uproot the terrorist group from the Gaza Strip.“IDF launches Operation Swords of Iron amid Hamas terror onslaught,” Israel Hayom, last updated October 8, 2023, https://www.israelhayom.com/2023/10/07/idf-launches-operation-swords-of-iron-amid-hamas-terror-onslaught/. Raisi claimed Israel’s response “may force everyone to take action.”Agence France-Presse, “Iran's Raisi Says Israeli Actions ‘May Force Everyone' to Act,” Voice of America, October 29, 2024, https://www.voanews.com/a/iran-s-raisi-says-israeli-actions-may-force-everyone-to-act/7332056.html.
In a December 2023 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Raisi accused Israel of carrying out genocide in Gaza.“Iran’s Raisi says ‘genocide’ unfolding in Gaza as he meets Russia’s Putin,” Al Jazeera, December 7, 2023, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/7/irans-raisi-says-genocide-under-way-in-gaza-as-he-meets-russias-putin. In a January 23, 2024, meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Raisi called for the international community to impose an economic blockade on Israel. Agence France-Presse, “Iran's Raisi, Erdogan pledge to contain Gaza violence,” Al-Monitor, January 23, 2024, https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/01/irans-raisi-erdogan-pledge-contain-gaza-violence. During a March 27, 2024, meeting with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Raisi praised Hamas for the October 7 attack. He chastised the United States for its support of Israel and labeled diplomatic moves by the United States and Israel as “deceitful.” Nigar Bayramli, “Iran’s President Raisi Condemns Western Support for Israel in Gaza Crisis,” Caspian News, March 28, 2024, https://caspiannews.com/news-detail/irans-president-raisi-condemns-western-support-for-israel-in-gaza-crisis-2024-3-28-0/ He further claimed that Arab countries that normalized relations with Israel were now “remorseful.”Nigar Bayramli, “Iran’s President Raisi Condemns Western Support for Israel in Gaza Crisis,” Caspian News, March 28, 2024, https://caspiannews.com/news-detail/irans-president-raisi-condemns-western-support-for-israel-in-gaza-crisis-2024-3-28-0/.
On April 13, 2024, Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles toward Israel. Israel, U.S., British, and regional forces shot down most of the rockets, which caused minor damage to an Israeli military base and wounded a child in southern Israel. The day after the attack, Raisi praised the IRGC and called the attack a “lesson to the Zionist enemy.”Benoit Faucon, “Iranian President Hails Attack as ‘Lesson’ for Israel,” Wall Street Journal, April 15, 2024, https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/israel-iran-strikes-live-coverage/card/iranian-president-hails-attack-as-lesson-for-israel-BVxr8zGc765oyK1yFQnW. Raisi further threatened “a decisive and much stronger response” if Israel retaliated. Benoit Faucon, “Iranian President Hails Attack as ‘Lesson’ for Israel,” Wall Street Journal, April 15, 2024, https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/israel-iran-strikes-live-coverage/card/iranian-president-hails-attack-as-lesson-for-israel-BVxr8zGc765oyK1yFQnW. He claimed that Iran’s attack had been limited and that if Iran had wanted to carry out a bigger attack, “nothing would remain from the Zionist regime.”“The Latest | Netanyahu says Israel will decide how to respond as Iran warns against retaliation,” Associated Press, April 17, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-hamas-latest-04-17-2024-7e4ba24fbb150f020a2d240dad9d462f.
On April 19, 2024, Israel launched a drone strike against a military base in Isfahan, Iran. Iranian officials claimed explosions heard around Isfahan resulted from Iranian air defenses striking the drones. The Iranian regime referred to the incident as an attack by “infiltrators.”Raja Abdulrahim, “Israel reportedly strikes an air defense site in Syria,” New York Times, April 19, 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/04/18/world/israel-iran-gaza-war-news/israel-reportedly-strikes-an-air-defense-site-in-syria; “Live Updates: Muted Reactions to Israeli Strikes on Iran Hint at De-Escalation,” New York Times, April 19, 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/04/18/world/israel-iran-gaza-war-news. At the same time as the strike on Iran, Israel sent missiles toward a Syrian air defense site, causing physical damage.Raja Abdulrahim, “Israel reportedly strikes an air defense site in Syria,” New York Times, April 19, 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/04/18/world/israel-iran-gaza-war-news/israel-reportedly-strikes-an-air-defense-site-in-syria; “Live Updates: Muted Reactions to Israeli Strikes on Iran Hint at De-Escalation,” New York Times, April 19, 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/04/18/world/israel-iran-gaza-war-news. On April 22, Raisi began a state visit to Pakistan by accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza with support from the United States. During a press conference with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Raisi called on Israel to accept an immediate ceasefire. Ayaz Gul, “Iran and Pakistan urge Gaza cease-fire,” Voice of America, April 22, 2024, https://www.voanews.com/a/iran-s-president-arrives-in-pakistan-for-wide-ranging-talks/7579598.html.
On May 19, 2024, a helicopter carrying Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and six other passengers and crew crashed in the Varzeqan region near the Azerbaijan border. The officials were returning from a state visit to Azerbaijan. Reports cited poor weather conditions as the cause of the crash. Iran confirmed Raisi’s death the following day after recovering wreckage during heavy rain, blizzards, and reportedly difficult terrain in the mountainous area. On May 20, Khamenei declared five days of mourning for Raisi. He appointed First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber as interim president. Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani was appointed as acting foreign minister. Under Iranian law, a new presidential election must be held within 50 days. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Raisi a “true friend of Russia,” while the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt, and other Middle Eastern nations sent messages of condolences.Parisa Hafezi and Yomna Mohamed, “Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, hardline ally of Supreme Leader, killed in helicopter crash,” Reuters, May 20, 2024, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hopes-fade-wreckage-found-helicopter-carrying-iranian-president-raisi-2024-05-20/. Khamenei eulogized Raisi as a “warm-hearted, humble and valued servant” who worked on behalf of the Iranian people despite heavy criticism from people who wished him ill will.“Leader declares 5 days of mourning over Raeisi's martyrdom,” Mehr News Agency, May 20, 2024, https://en.mehrnews.com/news/215403/Leader-declares-5-days-of-mourning-over-Raeisi-s-martyrdom.
Immediately following reports of the helicopter crash on May 19, rumors circulated on social media linking Israel to the accident. That night, a joke spread across social media crediting a Mossad agent named Eli Copter for the crash. Some news agencies picked up the story and reported it as a legitimate suspicion. Hamas-linked Telegram channels also reported the accusation.Josh Kaplan, “French TV channel mistakenly reports Mossad agent ‘Eli Copter’ behind Iran president crash,” Jewish Chronicle (London), May 20, 2024, https://www.thejc.com/news/world/french-tv-channel-mistakenly-reports-mossad-agent-eli-copter-behind-iran-president-crash-un4r2sch. On May 20, an Israeli official confirmed to Reuters that Israel was not involved.Parisa Hafezi and Yomna Mohamed, “Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, hardline ally of Supreme Leader, killed in helicopter crash,” Reuters, May 20, 2024, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hopes-fade-wreckage-found-helicopter-carrying-iranian-president-raisi-2024-05-20/.
Associated Groups
- Extremist entity
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- Type(s) of Organization:
- Government
- Ideologies and Affiliations:
- Shiite, Khomeinist, Islamist
- Position(s):
- President
History
United States
The U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control designated Ebrahim Raisi as a Specially Designated National on November 4, 2019.“Treasury Designates Supreme Leader of Iran’s Inner Circle Responsible for Advancing Regime’s Domestic and Foreign Oppression,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, November 4, 2019, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm824.
Daily Dose
Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.
Fact:
On October 7, 2023, Hamas invaded southern Israel where, in the space of eight hours, hundreds of armed terrorists perpetrated mass crimes of brutality, rape, and torture against men, women and children. In the biggest attack on Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, 1,200 were killed, and 251 were taken hostage into Gaza—where 101 remain. One year on, antisemitic incidents have increased by record numbers.