ADL: Anti-Semitic Incidents in US Hit Record High Last Year

March 24, 2023

by: Kate Norman

Friday, 24 March 2023 | The United States saw a 36% increase in anti-Semitic incidents in 2022 compared to the year before, according to a report published by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Wednesday.

The ADL’s annual audit tracked 3,697 anti-Semitic incidents in 2022, compared to 2,717 in 2021, which the ADL noted is the third time in the past five years that they have published record-breaking numbers of anti-Semitism.

The group has been publishing its annual audit, which includes incidents of harassment, vandalism and assault, since 1979.

The report showed an increase in anti-Semitism across several different categories: harassment, which spiked 29% at 2,298 incidents; vandalism, up 51% to 1,288 incidents; and assaults, which at 111 incidents, increased with 26% compared to the year before.

The ADL noted that only one assault was fatal, as 107 of the 111 anti-Semitic assaults were conducted without a deadly weapon. A 53% majority of the assaults were committed against Orthodox Jews, as they are more easily recognizable as Jewish. The report also noted that there were no mass-casualty assaults this year, as in years past.

There is no one cause or ideology responsible for the rise in American anti-Semitism last year, the ADL noted in its report, though there was a spike in white supremacist propaganda activity by 102%, at 852 incidents. There was a 12% increase of anti-Semitic incidents targeting Jewish institutions, including synagogues, community centers and schools. Of the 589 recorded events, most were harassment, though the audit also logged 86 vandalism incidents and nine assaults.

Of the 3,697 anti-Semitic incidents last year, 241 involved references to Israel or Zionism, according to the ADL, a decrease from the 345 incidents in 2021. The ADL noted that the decline was likely because of the conflict between Israel and Gaza in May 2021 had sparked an unusually high number of anti-Zionist incidents.

However, though the incidents involving references to Israel or Zionism decreased in 2022 compared to 2021, it is still 35% higher than the 2020 count, according to the ADL audit.

The ADL called its findings of anti-Semitism in the US “alarmingly high,” which the group said “requires a concerted whole-of-government, whole-of-society response.” The ADL suggested a COMBAT plan to fight anti-Semitism: Combat anti-Semitism; Oppose hate and extremism driven by anti-Semitism; Make communities safe from anti-Semitism; Block anti-Semitism online; Act against global anti-Semitism; and Teach about anti-Semitism.

ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted about the report: “This new [ADL] data confirms what Jewish communities across the country have felt and seen firsthand. We’re deeply disturbed by this dramatic and unacceptable surge in anti-Semitic incidents. It’s time to stop the surge of hate once and for all.”

Posted on March 24, 2023

Source: (Bridges for Peace, March 24, 2023)

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