A report from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) found that incidents of antisemitism in the U.S. rose over 200% following a Hamas massacre in Israel on Oct. 7. The report recorded over 10,000 antisemitic incidents in the U.S. following the terrorist attack, the highest number recorded in a single year since the ADL started tracking such incidents in 1979. The year prior to Oct. 7 saw 3,325 incidents recorded by the ADL Center on Extremism. Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the ADL, expressed deep concern over the increase in antisemitic threats and calls for violence against Jews following the attack.
Of the roughly 10,000 antisemitic incidents recorded, the ADL categorized them into three types: over 8,000 incidents of verbal or written harassment, over 1,840 incidents of vandalism, and over 150 physical assaults. About 12% of these incidents occurred on college campuses, significantly higher than the around 200 incidents on campuses recorded in the same period the previous year. Around 20% of incidents occurred at Jewish institutions, while about 30% occurred during anti-Israel rallies. The ADL noted that it will have finalized figures for 2025 as it continues to survey partners, law enforcement, and victims.
Experts and watchdog groups have expressed alarm over the increasing number of antisemitic incidents not only in the U.S. but also in Europe. The Community Security Trust in the U.K. reported a record-high number of 2,093 antisemitic incidents across the country between Oct. 7 and Dec. 13, 2023, the highest total ever recorded within a two-month period since 1984. In Canada, there has been a spike in antisemitic incidents focusing on Jewish institutions including schools, community centers, synagogues, and universities, making Montréal one of the most dangerous places to be visibly Jewish. Hate crimes in Canada have increased by over 132%, with the vast majority targeting the Jewish community.
The increase in antisemitic incidents has led to concerns about the safety of Jewish communities and individuals in various countries. In the U.K., observers have noted a rise in antisemitic imagery and slogans displayed during protests against Israel. In Canada, the Jewish community has faced multiple instances of attacks on their buildings, with some incidents involving shootings and petrol bombings targeting synagogues, schools, and community centers. Experts have described the current period as potentially the most antisemitic in Canada’s history, with the country becoming one of the most hostile nations in the West towards Jews.
The ADL’s report highlights the troubling trend of rising antisemitism, which is not only prevalent in the U.S. but also in other countries like the U.K. and Canada. The increased number of incidents, including harassment, vandalism, and physical assaults against Jews and Jewish institutions, has raised concerns about the safety and security of Jewish communities worldwide. Efforts to combat antisemitism and protect Jewish individuals and institutions are essential to ensure their safety and well-being in the face of growing hostility and threats.
