Antisemitism Increased 36 Percent in US in 2022: ADL

The number of antisemitic incidents in the United States in 2022 increased by 36 percent from the previous year, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).

There were 3,697 antisemitic incidents last year, whereas there were 2,717 in 2021, according to an ADL report released on March 23. This is a record high since 1979, when the ADL began collecting data on the number of annual antisemitic incidents.

There was a 29 percent increase in antisemitic harassment, a 51 percent increase in antisemitic vandalism, and a 26 percent increase in antisemitic assaults, the report said. All but four of the 111 recorded antisemitic assaults, one of which resulted in a fatality, were done with a deadly weapon. Orthodox Jews consisted of 53 percent of the assaults.

The ADL report noted a 102 percent increase in organized white supremacist activity. There was a 49 percent in antisemitic incidents in K-12 schools and a 41 percent on college campuses.

Additionally, there was a 69 percent increase in antisemitic attacks against Orthodox Jews and an almost-167.68 percent increase in bomb threats to Jewish institutions, according to the report.

There was, however, an almost-35.5 percent decrease reported in anti-Israel and anti-Zionist incidents.

New York, California, New Jersey, Florida, and Texas had the most antisemitic incidents, or 54 percent combined, of incidents nationwide.

Public figures expressed alarm over the report.

“This new @ADL data confirms what Jewish communities across the country have felt and seen firsthand. We’re deeply disturbed by this dramatic and unacceptable surge in antisemitic incidents. It’s time to stop the surge of hate once and for all,” ADL national director and CEO Jonathan Greenblatt posted onTwitter.

“There isn’t a single factor or ideology driving this increase. The unusually high number is the cumulative effect of organized white supremacist propaganda activity, attacks on Orthodox Jews, bomb threats toward Jewish institutions, and increased incidents in schools & campuses,” he added.

“To see a 36 percent increase in numbers, the highest number on record since 1979, is truly outrageous!” posted U.S. Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides on Twitter.

Coalition for Jewish Values Managing Director Rabbi Yaakov Menken posted on Twitter regarding the statistic that 53 percent of antisemitic assaults in 2022 were toward Orthodox Jews.

“Numbers don’t lie. It means those ‘experts’ who fail to listen to the learning and experience of Orthodox Jews will inevitably get it wrong.”

“Horrible to see @ADL reporting that antisemitic incidents hit an all-time high in 2022. posted Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.) on Twitter.

“As a member of the Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, I will continue to fight every day to stop the spread of hate in all forms.”