An annual report from the international Jewish NGO Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reveals that incidents of antisemitism in the United States rose to 36% in 2022.
Antisemitic incidents in the U.S. rose 36% in 2022, an annual audit by the Anti-Defamation League shows.https://t.co/KB7NwvlgI5
— NPR (@NPR) March 24, 2023
This audit comes as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released newly updated data showing that hate crimes rose 12% in 2021.
New FBI data show reported hate crimes in the U.S. jumped in 2021 https://t.co/W2uCppjw3U
— kansaslegalservices (@KLSforkansas) March 14, 2023
The annual audit, released on March 23, recorded 3,697 incidents of harassment, vandalism, and assault against Jewish people and communities in 2022. It is the third time in five years that the tally has been highest since the ADL started collecting data in 1979.
ADL’s latest analysis reported surges in the significant audit categories (harassment, vandalism, assault) that occurred in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
According to the audit, antisemitic harassment increased by 29%, from 1,776 to 2,298. Antisemitic vandalism increased by 51%, from 853 to 1,288. Lastly, antisemitic assaults increased by 26%, from 88 to 111.
In all 50 states, New York had the highest number of antisemitic incidents, with around 580. Next was California with 518, New Jersey with 408, Florida with 269, and Texas with 211.
"Combined, these five states account for 54 % of the total incidents." the ADL annual audit said.
Coincidentally, the updated report released by the FBI matches the ADL’s statistics. In a table listing the number of incidents and offenses against various groups, the FBI’s report said that Jews were the most targeted religious group regarding hate crimes, recording 817 incidents and 851 offenses in 2021, with 869 victims and 583 known offenders.
The agency only reported 152 incidents and 177 offenses against Muslims, making them the third most targeted group after Jews and Sikhs (185 incidents and 187 offenses).
In general, hate crimes nationwide rose from 8,120 in 2020 to 9,065. The report also noted that 12,411 individuals were reportedly victims of hate crime, with about 65% saying they were singled out due to their race or ethnicity.
The FBI said 14.1% of the individuals were targeted because of their religion, while 15.9% said they were targeted due to their sexual orientation.
Hate crimes in the U.S. increased by 11.6% in 2021 from the previous year, per a new FBI report.
12,411 people reported they were victims of hate crimes in 2021.
64.5% targeted because of race/ethnicity
15.9% for sexual orientation
14.1% for religion pic.twitter.com/OLyZZb2SPc— The Recount (@therecount) March 14, 2023
Schools and synagogues are also increasingly becoming targets for hate crimes. The ADL reported that bomb threats against Jewish educational institutions and places of worship spiked from eight to 91. The FBI also said that 7.2 % of hate crimes reported in 2021 happened in schools and universities, while 3% occurred in synagogues, churches, and other places of worship.
"This escalation in antisemitic incidents comes just as ADL has reported on Americans' highest level of antisemitic attitudes in decades," the Anti-Defamation League said in its report, also arguing that politicians, celebrities, and groups have been instrumental in normalizing and spreading antisemitic sentiments and stereotypes.
"Hate crimes and the devastation they cause communities have no place in this country," US Attorney General Vanita Gupta said in a statement released on March 13 by the US Department of Justice. "The Justice Department is committed to every tool and resource at our disposal to combat bias-motivated violence in all its forms."
