Antisemitism in the United States has surged to record-breaking levels, with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) documenting a staggering 9,354 incidents of harassment, vandalism, and assault throughout 2024, marking the highest total since the ADL began recording such data in 1979, reports The Times of Israel.
This figure, a 5% increase from 2023, averages more than 25 antisemitic incidents every single day. The states of New York (1,437 incidents) and California (1,344) recorded the highest number of cases, though incidents were documented in all 50 states.
“This horrifying level of antisemitism should never be accepted, and yet, as our data shows, it has become a persistent and grim reality for American Jewish communities,” said ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt. “Jewish Americans continue to be harassed, assaulted and targeted for who they are on a daily basis and everywhere they go. But let’s be clear: we will remain proud of our Jewish culture, religion and identities, and we will not be intimidated by bigots.”
The Hamas-led terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 triggered a notable surge in antisemitic activity across the US. The ADL noted that for the first time, the majority (58%) of reported antisemitic incidents were directly tied to Israel or Zionism, many occurring at anti-Israel rallies. These included antisemitic chants, signs, speeches, and slogans—often crossing the line from political protest into outright hate.
Student groups, such as Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), were identified as leading organisers of these rallies, involved in over half of the reported demonstrations.
College campuses saw a particularly dramatic rise in antisemitic activity, with 1,694 incidents—a shocking 84% increase over the previous year. These included incidents of hate speech, intimidation, and vandalism, creating a hostile environment for Jewish students.
Assaults also rose by 21%, with 196 attacks targeting at least 250 individuals, 30% of whom were Orthodox Jews. Assaults on Jewish institutions more than doubled, while acts of vandalism surged by 39%. Bomb threats numbered 647 for the year.
In total, the ADL recorded:
- 6,552 cases of harassment
- 2,606 cases of vandalism (37% involving swastikas)
- 962 propaganda incidents linked to white supremacist groups, including Patriot Front, Goyim Defence League, and White Lives Matter
Oren Segal, ADL’s senior vice president for counter-extremism, stated: “These incidents… serve as a clear reminder that silence is not an option. Good people must stand up, push back, and confront antisemitism wherever it appears.”
The report, which includes both criminal and non-criminal acts, drew on data from law enforcement, victims, media, and partner organisations. It also noted that the actual figures could be even higher, especially within schools, where antisemitic bullying is often underreported.
The alarming findings underscore a growing crisis that Jewish leaders and civil rights organisations say must be urgently addressed to protect the rights, dignity, and safety of Jewish communities in the United States.
Photo credit: Alex Kent / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
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