The COVID-19 pandemic poses unprecedented challenges to the global population’s physical and mental wellbeing, with long-lasting consequences on society. The level of uncertainty and risk involved in this health emergency has contributed to a steep increase in the overall polarization of the social and political environment, as demonstrated by the increase in reported violent radical acts, such as COVID-related hate incidents and crimes. The social and political polarization of society is not a new phenomenon, and has been increasing over the decades prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this pandemic has highlighted social inequalities and accelerated violent radicalization (VR) processes, resulting in the escalation of societal conflicts and tensions. The violent protests at the Capitol in the US and the rapid spread of conspiracy theories and movements promoting the use of violence (e.g., Qanon, Anti-Vax) are some timely examples that illustrate this increasing social polarization…