ADL Reports 140% Surge in Antisemitic Incidents Across U.S.

By Hamodia Staff

According to a survey by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) released Tuesday, antisemitic incidents in the U.S. have surged by 140%, marking an unprecedented rise and the highest annual increase in the past 45 years. The ADL’s Audit of Antisemitic Incidents reported an average of 24 antisemitic acts per day, totaling 8,873 incidents throughout the year. This spike is largely attributed to the ongoing war in Gaza.

The audit revealed a significant rise in assaults, harassment, and vandalism, particularly after Oct. 7, with 5,204 incidents recorded in the latter part of the year. These acts of antisemitism occurred in various settings, including college campuses, public spaces, and during anti-Israel demonstrations, reflecting a global uptrend in antisemitic tensions.

In light of these findings, the ADL has urged governor’s offices nationwide to adopt state-level strategies akin to the White House’s National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism. This call to action aims to comprehensively address antisemitism across all political spectra. ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt emphasized the severity of the situation, describing antisemitism as a “national emergency” that requires immediate and widespread action.

The ADL’s survey also noted a disturbing increase in targeted attacks on Jewish institutions, with 1,987 incidents recorded — an increase of 237% from the previous year. This includes a sharp rise in bomb threats, predominantly targeting shuls during the fall. Shuls were the victims in 73% of all incidents affecting Jewish institutions.

Additionally, there was a 321% increase in antisemitic activity on college campuses and a 135% rise in incidents in non-Jewish K-12 schools. The report also highlighted an increase in activity by white supremacist groups, with 1,161 incidents of antisemitic propaganda distribution noted last year.

The states with the highest number of recorded incidents were California, New York, New Jersey, Florida, and Massachusetts, which together accounted for 48% of the total incidents.

Despite these challenges, Greenblatt encouraged American Jews not to succumb to fear but to remain proud of their Jewish identity and confident in their societal role. Oren Segal, Vice President of the ADL Center on Extremism, stressed the diverse nature of the incidents, which ranged from bomb threats to swatting campaigns, all intended to terrorize Jewish communities. The ADL’s tracking efforts have provided crucial intelligence to law enforcement, helping to mitigate potential harm and ensure perpetrator accountability.

Overall, the report found that 36% of the incidents in 2023 involved references to Israel, a significant increase from the previous year. This often included harmful rhetoric and the promotion of classic antisemitic tropes.