Q&A of the Day – The Rise of Antisemitism
Each day I feature a listener question sent by one of these methods.
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Today’s Entry: Hi Brian- question about antisemitism. I’m sure the war has stoked antisemitic behavior by those who were already inclined. With that being said we’ve heard for years in the news about a rise in antisemitism but I’ve never heard the facts of where that’s come from or how it’s determined. I know we’ve had some local issues with the flyers and images on buildings so I don’t doubt that it’s the case. I’d just like to know the facts.
Btw, I can’t always catch the show but I never miss a podcast!
Bottom Line: South Florida has the second largest Jewish community in the United States and you’re right that we’ve had our local issues with displays of antisemitism in recent years as well. In fact, the problems had become so pervasive in recent years that Florida passed a law addressing antisemitism earlier this year. Florida was fourth in the country (behind New York, California and New Jersey) in documented antisemitic incidents last year with 269 in total – a record high. Those documented incidents, included 214 instances of harassment, 54 instances of vandalism and one case of assault. As a result, the legislature passed, and Governor DeSantis signed, Florida’s new law which took effect May 1st and did the following:
- Prohibits a person from intentionally dumping litter onto private property for the purpose of intimidating or threatening the owner, resident, or invitee of such property;
- Prohibits a person from willfully and maliciously harassing, threatening, or intimidating another person based on the person’s wearing or displaying of any indicia relating to any religious or ethnic heritage;
- Creates a new prohibition against displaying or projecting, using any medium, an image onto a building, structure, or other property without the written consent of the owner of the building, structure, or property;
- Creates a new trespass offense if a person who is not authorized, licensed, or invited willfully enters the campus of a state college or university for the purpose of threatening or intimidating another person, and is warned by the institution to depart and refuses to do so; and
- Prohibits a person from willfully and maliciously interrupting or disturbing any assembly of people met for the purpose of acknowledging the death of an individual.
But your question wasn’t just about Florida, and you want to know where the documentation comes from. The answer is FBI accounting and audits complied by the Anti-Defamation League, or ADL. Annually, since 1979, the ADL has compiled an annual report of documented acts of antisemitism. As they note in their methodology:
- The ADL Audit of Antisemitic Incidents is comprised of both criminal and non-criminal incidents of harassment, vandalism and assault against individuals and groups as reported to ADL by victims, law enforcement, the media and partner organizations. It is not a public opinion poll or an effort to catalog every expression of antisemitism.
- Incidents are defined as vandalism of property or as harassment or assault on individuals and/or groups, where either 1) circumstances indicate anti-Jewish animus on the part of the perpetrator or 2) a reasonable person could plausibly conclude they were being victimized due to their Jewish identity. Vandalism against Jewish religious institutions or cemeteries may also be included.
Most commonly when you read or hear about the rise of antisemitism over time, it’s the ADL’s annual audit that’s the source material for that reporting. FBI reporting is also cited, however not all incidents reported to the FBI turn out to be verified cases. The ADL’s audits account for what’s verified to have occurred. To paint the picture of the growth of antisemitism preceding this year, ten years ago there were a total of 751 incidents nationally. Last year there were 3,697. That's a 492% increase in documented antisemitic incidents in just a decade. The increase in recent years has largely been fueled by organized activities encouraging antisemitic behavior and often providing materials and direction. The ADL specifically notes the activities of several white supremacist groups, Black Hebrew Israelite extremists and celebrity influence (specifically Kanye West) as driving factors behind the rise in issues across the country.
As recently as last month there were issues once again locally with antisemitic flyers being dumped on driveways throughout the Palm Beaches and in Okeechobee County so despite the new law there are still issues that remain. And now, with public acts of antisemitism on display throughout the world on the back of the Israel-Hamas war, many Jews are understandably on edge. Law enforcement locally and across our state has stepped up patrols at places of worship and religious schools. And hopefully, at least locally, Florida’s law will serve as a deterrent during a time with as much antisemitism on display as most of us have seen our lifetime. Given the rise in antisemitic activities preceding current events it’s an especially trying time in our society. Hate is unfortunately all too alive and well. It’s incumbent upon us to combat it through our support of our Jewish friends and neighbors.