The United States has seen more reported anti-Semitic incidents since Oct. 7 than in any two months in about 45 years, when the Anti-Defamation League began keeping such statistics, the group said Monday.
There were 2,031 anti-Semitic incidents reported in the United States between October 7 (when Hamas terrorists attacked Israel) and December 7, according to preliminary data released by the ADL.
That figure is a staggering 337% increase compared to the same two-month period in 2022, when 465 incidents were documented.
The figure is also nearly triple the previous high of about 45 years over a two-month span: October and November of last year, when 741 incidents were recorded, an ADL representative told The Post.
The ADL, which was founded in 1913 and began recording anti-Semitic incidents in 1979, called the increase “unprecedented.”
The shocking figures cover 40 physical assaults, 337 cases of vandalism, 749 incidents of harassment and 905 demonstrations involving anti-Semitic rhetoric and support for terrorism against Israel, the ADL said.
Stay on top of news on the war between Israel and Hamas and the global rise in anti-Semitism with The Post’s Israel War Update, delivered directly to your inbox every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
ADL Executive Director Jonathan Greenblatt said in a statement that Jewish communities are being engulfed by hate and there are no signs of it slowing down.
“This terrifying pattern of anti-Semitic attacks has been relentless since the war between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, and there is no sign of it letting up,” Greenblatt said.
Anti-Israel protesters are seen marching in New York last month. James Keivom The number of anti-Semitic incidents since October 7 has increased by 337% compared to the same period last year. AFP via Getty Images
“The manhole cover is open and Jewish communities across the country are being inundated with hate,” he said.
Addressing rising anti-Semitism on college campuses, Greenblatt added, “Public officials and university leaders must lower the temperature and take clear steps to demonstrate that this behavior is unacceptable to prevent further violence.”
The ADL included in its statistics the death of a Jewish man and Israel supporter, Paul Kessler, 69, who died during a confrontation with a pro-Palestinian protester in California last month.
While a suspect was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter, he is not facing hate crime charges.
Swastikas are seen posted at a New York school. DCPI
At least 1,411 of the recent US incidents are said to be related to the war between Israel and Hamas, which has sparked tense protests over the Jewish state’s military campaign in Gaza.
About 250 anti-Semitic incidents targeted Jewish institutions, including synagogues and the Hillels campus, the group said.
About 400 anti-Semitic incidents have occurred on university campuses, another sharp increase compared to the same period last year, when there were only 33 incidents.
There was also an increase in vandalism and harassment of Jewish- and Israeli-owned businesses, according to the ADL.
“Vandalism of a Jewish business is not a political protest: it is anti-Semitism and it is criminal,” Greenblatt said. “Historically, boycotts have targeted the Jewish community in times of crisis, and it is alarming that it is happening again now.”
Pro-Israel protesters wave Israeli flags during a demonstration. AFP via Getty Images
The White House previously announced a national strategy in May to address anti-Semitism.
Vice President Kamala Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, said during the lighting of a massive menorah in front of the White House last week to mark the start of Hanukkah that American Jews “feel alone” and “are in pain.”
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) also sounded the alarm late last month over a “rise in anti-Semitism” that he said was fueled by pro-Hamas “whistles” in protests denouncing Israel.
Categories: Trending
Source: vtt.edu.vn