The FBI is putting its 101 domestic terror squads on the alert for any threats against synagogues and other potential Jewish targets in the United States after the assassination of the top Hezbollah commander Imad Mughniyah and the movement's leader threatened to punish Israel.

FBI spokesman Rich Kolko said Thursday that no specific threats had been received by any Jewish centers after Tuesday's assassination of Mughniyah in Damascus. Hezbollah and its Iranian backers blamed the killing on Israel, whose government denied involvement but its army would not discuss it.

Still, the FBI ordered its Joint Terrorism Task Forces to contact community sources for information signaling ramped-up Hezbollah activity over the next month. Such high-priority orders are not issued often, but they are not considered unusual.

"The FBI monitors world events and continues to maintain a strong posture through the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Forces for any and all threats emanating from any terrorist group," Kolko said in a statement. "Although we have no specific threat information at this time, we remind everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities."

Intelligence officials said few, if any, Hezbollah guerrillas are in the United States. However, the Lebanese militant group has fundraisers and sympathizers in the country. The United States considered Mughniyah one of the world's most wanted and elusive terrorists.

The FBI order was sent out the day before Thursday's fiery eulogy by the Hezbollah chief, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, who vowed to avenge Mughniyah's death by retaliating against Israeli targets abroad.

The Israeli government denied it was involved in the car bombing that killed Mughniyah, although its military officials refused to confirm or deny involvement.

In addition to reinforcing its troop presence along the Lebanese border, Israel put its military and embassies on alert and advised Jewish organizations around the world to do the same. But Jewish institutions in the United States described the alert as another reminder to be aware of possible threats since strict protective measures are usually in place.

"Security for Jewish organizations and Jewish institutions around the world is a 365-day concern and has been for a long time," said Michael Salberg, director of international affairs for the Anti-Defamation League in New York. "When things heat up, when an incident occurs that raises concerns, it's a reminder. It doesn't change our focus on security."

The New York Police Department, the largest in the country, strengthened patrols at the Israeli mission at the United Nations and its New York consulate after news of the threat, chief spokesman Paul Browne said. He said police were monitoring synagogues and schools as well.

The Homeland Security Department acknowledged it was monitoring the situation overseas, but spokesman Russ Knocke would not talk about how closely the monitoring was being done. The department last year gave $24 million (16.4 million) in grants to help Jewish nonprofit organizations in major cities bolster security measures in a nod to the widespread belief that they are potential terror targets.

At the State Department, spokesman Sean McCormack described Nasrallah's remarks as "alarming."

"Any time you have a terrorist organization making threats against a fellow democracy, a member of the United Nations, that is something that should concern every civilized nation around the world," McCormack told reporters.

"As a general matter, those kinds of statements are quite concerning and they should be alarming to everyone," he said. "Quite clearly, Hezbollah has a long record of carrying out violent acts and acts of terrorism around the globe. You have a pathway of violence that stretches from Buenos Aires to Kuwait and a lot of places in between."

Some Jewish institutions, such as synagogues and advocacy organizations, refuse to discuss security measures. For others, Thursday's call re-emphasized measures already in use.

At Temple Judea, in Coral Gables, Florida, Executive Director Marsha Botkin said they doing nothing differently.

"We have very tight security for getting in the building," Botkin said.

"The temple has security cameras, doors are all regularly locked and visitors have to buzz to get in," she said. "And when they hold services, a police officer is outside."

At the Ramaz School's three buildings on New York's Upper East Side, there have been armed security guards outside and other guards inside for several years, said Kenneth Rochlin, the school's administrator. Visitors must have appointments.

Israel's message was a reminder of the importance of paying attention

Andrea Policky, executive assistant at Temple Israel, the largest Reform Congregation in the northeastern United States, said its security staff has been placed on high alert.

"They are aware of the situation," she said. "The security officers have been instructed on what to look for."

In California, the Los Angeles Police Department had not received any specific threats related to Mughniyeh's death but was increasing its presence at Jewish institutions, malls and ports, said Deputy Chief Michael Downing, who heads the department's counterterror unit.

The Anti-Defamation League for several counties in Southern California sent out an e-mail warning to Jewish institutions urging vigilance.

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