The number of antisemitic incidents in the United States reached a record high last year, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). The report notes that 58% of the 9,354 incidents were related to Israel, including chants, speeches, and signs at rallies criticizing Israeli policies. Released on Tuesday, the report marks the first occasion in 46 years of annual tallies that Israel-related incidents have constituted more than half of the total. A significant factor is the widespread opposition to Israel’s military actions in Gaza following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
This report has fueled an ongoing debate among American Jews and others about the extent to which severe criticism of Israeli policies and Zionism should be classified as antisemitic.
The debate has gained momentum as the Trump administration enforces punitive measures against universities it deems insufficiently proactive in countering antisemitism and pursues the deportation of some pro-Palestinian campus activists. Jewish leaders are grappling with the need to denounce overt acts of antisemitism while also expressing concern about the administration’s handling of the issue, which they perceive as targeting specific individuals and institutions unnecessarily.
The report emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between general criticism of Israel or anti-Israel activism and antisemitism. However, the ADL highlights areas of controversy, such as the vilification of Zionism, which it regards as a form of antisemitism, despite criticism from some Jewish communities.
The tally of antisemitic incidents at anti-Israel rallies includes instances of justifying or glorifying antisemitic violence, promoting classic antisemitic stereotypes, and using signage that equates Judaism or Zionism with Nazism. Additionally, the report records celebrations of the Hamas attack on Israel and advocacy for terrorism as antisemitic acts.
The ADL’s report indicates that university campuses are frequent sites of antisemitic activities, where Jewish students face hostility, exclusion, and physical threats due to their identity or beliefs. Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, underscores the obligation to ensure student safety on campus while criticizing the administration’s approach to tackling antisemitism, which he believes undermines democratic institutions.
In one highlighted case, Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist at Columbia University, has been detained since March 8 without facing criminal charges. Jacobs emphasizes the need for a legal basis for such actions, warning that undermining due process for Palestinians could eventually impact all communities.
Some progressive Jewish leaders have expressed disappointment with the ADL for supporting Columbia University’s compliance with the administration’s demands and initially endorsing the campaign against activists like Khalil. Prominent critics include Michael Roth, Peter Beinart, and James Schamus, who have urged opposition to the university’s actions.
Washington Post columnist Matt Bai criticized the ADL for failing to oppose the administration’s actions against foreigners with unpopular views, questioning the organization’s civil rights credentials. In response, ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt asserted the organization’s sensitivity to free speech and civil liberties, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding constitutional freedoms even while addressing antisemitic acts.
Beyond Israel-related incidents, the ADL report also reveals a 344% increase in the total number of antisemitic incidents compared to five years ago. There were 196 assaults targeting over 250 people, none of which were fatal. Vandalism accounted for 2,606 incidents, with swastikas present in 37% of these cases. Additionally, 647 bomb threats, predominantly targeting synagogues, were reported. Incidents were documented across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with over 10% occurring in New York City. Moreover, 962 incidents of antisemitic propaganda were linked to white supremacist groups, with three groups responsible for 94% of this activity.
The ADL compiles its annual report by evaluating criminal and noncriminal acts of harassment, vandalism, and assault reported by victims, law enforcement, media, and partner organizations.