Topline
Reports of antisemitic incidents in the United States hit record levels in 2022, the Anti-Defamation League said in a report published Thursday, continuing a five-year upswing in antisemitism amid mounting fears the behavior of influential public figures like Donald Trump and Kanye West are normalizing hate.
Antisemitic incidents hit a record high in the U.S. in 2022, according to ADL.
Key Facts
The ADL recorded 3,697 antisemitic incidents across the U.S. in 2022, the highest annual total since the organization started tracking incidents in 1979.
The figure marks a 36% increase from the year before—itself a record-setting year—and follows a broad uptick in hate towards the American Jewish community over the past five years, three of which recorded record levels of antisemitic incidents.
The report said no single factor was responsible for the surge in hate and five states— New York (580), California (518), New Jersey (408), Florida (269) and Texas (211)—collectively accounted for more than half (54%) of total incidents.
A total of 2,298 incidents were classified as verbal or written harassment involving antisemitic slurs, conspiracy theories or stereotypes, the report said, a 29% increase from the year before.
There were 111 incidents categorized as physical assaults, the report said, an increase of 26% from the year before and more than half of which targeted “visibly Orthodox Jews.”
Acts of antisemitic vandalism—more than half of which involved swastikas—increased to 1,288 incidents, a 51% jump from before, the report said.
Crucial Quote
“We’re deeply disturbed by this dramatic and completely unacceptable surge in antisemitic incidents,” said ADL chief executive Johathan Greenblatt. “While we can’t point to any single factor or ideology driving this increase, the surges in organized white supremacist propaganda activity, brazen attacks on Orthodox Jews, a rapid escalation of bomb threats toward Jewish institutions and significant increases of incidents in schools and on college campuses all contributed to the unusually high number.”
News Peg
The ADL identified a number of groups responsible for spreading antisemitic hate in its report, including white supremacist group White Lives Matter, Black Hebrew Israelite extremists, conspiracy theory network Goyim Defense League and Florida-based neo-Nazi group National Socialist Movement. The report also singled out West, an American rapper and designer legally known as Ye, as influencing a number of antisemitic incidents. West, who touted antisemitic conspiracies on social media in October, as well as praising Adolf Hitler and disputing settled facts about the Holocaust, was directly referenced in 59 separate incidents from October 11, the report said. Ye’s influence includes 44 cases of harassment, 13 cases of vandalism and two instances of assault, the ADL report said. Ye has been publicly rebuked for his comments, barred from social media and has lost numerous business ties, notably with Adidas. The German sportswear giant partnered with West on the lucrative Yeezy fashion brand, the loss of which is costing Adidas dearly and knocked West out of Forbes’ list of the world’s billionaires.
Big Number
10. That’s how many antisemitic incidents were recorded on average each day in 2022, according to ADL’s report. This is likely a significant underestimate of the total amount of antisemitic attacks happening in the U.S. and the group notes, for example, that its audit does not count incidents taking place in public venues or attempt to assess the total amount of antisemitism online.
Key Background
The ADL’s report reflects a rising tide of antisemitism in the U.S. and builds upon last year’s record-breaking figure. The steady rise in hateful incidents comes amid a broader swell in white nationalism and an uptick in high-profile entertainers, athletes and politicians brazenly spouting antisemitic beliefs, openly associating with those who do or giving such people a platform from which to speak. In addition to West, this cadre of influential people includes former President Donald Trump, billionaire Twitter owner Elon Musk and basketball star Kyrie Irving, ultimately stoking fears that hate and antisemitism is being normalized and spreading with impunity. More broadly, antisemitism is rising outside of the U.S., particularly in Europe, and hate crimes targeting people based on their race or ethnicity, sexual orientation and religion are also on the rise in the U.S., FBI data shows.
Further Reading
White Supremacist Propaganda Hit Record Levels In 2022, ADL Says (Forbes)
As antisemitism grows, so does its dangers to everyone. Here’s how you can fight against it (CNN)
Antisemitism is on the rise, and it’s not just about Ye (NPR)
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