The number of antisemitic incidents in the United States reached an unprecedented high last year, according to recent findings. Out of 9,354 documented cases, 58% were connected to Israel, largely through chants, speeches, and signage at rallies protesting Israeli policies. This marks the first time that incidents related to Israel have exceeded half of the total count, with 5,422 instances recorded in 2024. A primary factor contributing to this surge is widespread opposition to Israel’s military actions in Gaza following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
These findings have intensified an ongoing and heated debate among American Jews and others regarding the line between criticism of Israeli policies and Zionism, and antisemitism. This discussion has expanded as President Donald Trump’s administration implements punitive measures against universities it deems too lenient in addressing antisemitism while also seeking to deport some pro-Palestinian campus activists.
Jewish leaders face a challenging task of denouncing overt antisemitic acts while critiquing what they perceive as the administration’s manipulation of the issue to target disliked individuals and institutions. The concerns surrounding antisemitism are acknowledged as genuine and significant, with calls to avoid using these concerns to undermine democratic principles.
The report emphasizes the distinction between general criticism of Israel or anti-Israel activism and antisemitism, though it points out certain gray areas. It categorizes the vilification of Zionism as a form of antisemitism, despite some Jewish critics of Zionism and the Anti-Defamation League itself. Incidents at anti-Israel rallies deemed antisemitic include those that justify antisemitic violence, promote traditional antisemitic stereotypes, and equate Judaism or Zionism with Nazism. Celebrations of the Hamas attack on Israel and overt support for terrorism were also included in this count.
University campuses emerged as common settings for antisemitic incidents, where many Jewish students reportedly experience hostility, exclusion, and even physical danger due to their identity or beliefs. The complex situation faced by these students is underscored by the statements of leaders like the president of the Union for Reform Judaism, who stresses the importance of maintaining safety and religious freedom on campus.
Controversy surrounds the administration’s approach, with the detention and potential deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist, exemplifying broader concerns over due process and legal fairness. Critics argue that undermining the legal rights of one group could set a precedent that affects all.
The ADL faced criticism from some progressive Jewish leaders for initially supporting measures against pro-Palestinian activists, although efforts have been made to distance the organization from certain administration actions. It reaffirms the principle of protecting civil liberties for all, highlighting the importance of accountability based on actual crimes rather than ideological expressions.
Beyond incidents related to Israel, the report reveals other concerning trends in antisemitism for 2024. The total number of antisemitic incidents increased by 344% from five years prior. Among these, 196 incidents involved physical assaults targeting over 250 individuals, though none were fatal. There were 2,606 cases of vandalism, with swastikas appearing in 37% of these instances, and 647 bomb threats primarily aimed at synagogues. Antisemitic acts were reported in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with over 10% occurring in New York City alone. Additionally, 962 incidents of antisemitic propaganda were linked to white supremacist groups, with a few organizations responsible for the majority of such activities.
The annual report by the ADL catalogs both criminal and non-criminal acts of harassment, vandalism, and assault against individuals and groups, as reported by victims, law enforcement, media, and partner organizations, and subsequently assessed by ADL experts.