Ten Most Shocking Antisemitism Incidents of February 2023

The CAM Antisemitism Research Center collects comprehensive antisemitism data from around the world on a constant basis, and publishes a regular feature on the top ten antisemitic incidents that shook Jewish communities globally during the preceding month. 

The ten most shocking antisemitic incidents of February 2023 are as follows:

1. Suspect Charged With Hate Crimes After Pair of Shootings Targeting Jews Near Los Angeles Synagogues

U.S. federal prosecutors said suspect Jamie Tran targeted his victims — both of whom survived their wounds after receiving medical treatment in hospitals — “because they were Jewish or he believed them to be Jewish” and was “motivated by hate.”

The shootings took place in Los Angeles’ Pico-Robertson neighborhood, which is home to a large Orthodox Jewish population.

2. Report: Iran ‘Mapping’ Jews in Diaspora for Kill Squads

Iran has been “mapping” the Jewish Diaspora for an assassination campaign that will be triggered if Israel attacks its nuclear facilities, a Jewish woman who met Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has told The Jewish Chronicle.

The chilling plan, disclosed at a high-level meeting in Tehran, involved identifying key Jewish figures and determining “how to strike and where.”

The hit squads would be deployed if Israel ever attacked Iran, she was told, so “the diaspora would have a very nasty surprise.”

3. London Jewish Woman Carrying Baby ‘Strangled’ in Alleged Antisemitic Street Assault

A 32-year-old man was arrested by police in connection with a series of Feb. 7 attacks targeting Jewish women near the Seven Sisters Underground station in north London.

#HateCrime #Antisemitism

Seven Sisters Road #N16 @Shomrim responded to #Racist male targeted #Jewish females, multiple assaults & attempted strangulation of a lady with a baby@Shomrim & @MPSHackney are appealing for further witnesses/victims to come forward

CAD 3319 7/2/23 pic.twitter.com/SCJmtd9iiK

— Shomrim (Stamford Hill) (@Shomrim) February 7, 2023

4. Turkey Arrests ISIS Members Allegedly Targeting Istanbul Synagogues

Police in Istanbul arrested 15 suspects connected to the Islamic State terror group who were allegedly plotting to target synagogues and churches in the city, Turkish media reported.

Turkish police arrested 15 suspects connected to ISIS who were allegedly plotting to target synagogues and churches in Istanbul. https://t.co/Q3L0FnsElm

— JTA | Jewish news (@JTAnews) February 6, 2023

5. San Francisco Synagogue Leaders Urge Hate Crimes Charges Against Suspect in Recent Shooting Incident

51-year-old Dmitri Mishin is suspected of entering the Schneerson Synagogue in San Francisco’s Richmond District neighborhood on Feb. 1 and shooting several blank rounds from a pistol as stunned congregants looked on.

He reportedly said, “Hello my Jewish friends. I want to show you something,” and claimed he worked for the Mossad, Israel’s national intelligence agency, before opening fire.

6. Witnesses Say Antisemitic Slurs Sparked Post-Game Melee Between South Florida High School Soccer Teams

A soccer game between two South Florida private high schools — one Jewish and one Roman Catholic — ended in an on-field melee that witnesses said was instigated by antisemitic slurs, WPLG Local 10 reported.

After visiting Archbishop Coleman Carroll High School defeated Scheck Hillel Community School 2-1 in a state regional final match, a violent fight broke between players on the competing teams, as well as fans who jumped down from the stands.

7. Antisemitic Demonstrators Harass Theatergoers Outside New Broadway Play on Leo Frank

Protestors outside the first preview performance of “Parade” greeted audience members with chants such as “[Leo Frank is] a Jewish Pedophile.”

The National Socialist Movement, a neo-Nazi hate group, is protesting outside of the Broadway revival of “Parade,” stating that Leo Frank, the subject of the musical, was a pedophile. pic.twitter.com/wbGMjRubZL

— Jake Wasserman (@jacobhwasserman) February 22, 2023

8. Man Hurled Antisemitic Slur, Punched Cyclist Who Was Speaking Hebrew in Dania Beach

A man out for a bicycle ride in Dania Beach, Florida, was the victim of antisemitic attack that sent him to the hospital with serious injuries.

Cellphone video captured workers trying to subdue a man who, authorities said, had just committed a hate crime.

“The victim told detectives that he was riding his bicycle while he was on the phone speaking in Hebrew when an unknown individual hurled an antisemitic slur at him and punched him in the face,” said Broward Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Gerdy St. Louis.

9. ‘Hate Has No Place in Our State’: Antisemitic Flyers in Suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia Draw Condemnation 

Police were investigating the distribution of antisemitic flyers in two suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia, as state and local leaders voiced their condemnation of the act of hate.

The flyers — contained in plastic bags weighed down by rocks — were thrown in the yards and driveways of homes in predominantly Jewish areas of the Sandy Springs and Dunwoody municipalities, just north of Atlanta.

10. Police Search for Man Who Left Swastika Flag at North Carolina Synagogue

Police in Boone, North Carolina, have released images of a man they allege waved a flag with a swastika on it outside of the Temple of the High Country on Feb. 15.

According to a statement on the synagogue’s home page, several people reported the incident and the man to authorities. A short time later, two members of Appalachian State University’s AEPi chapter saw the hateful flag draped over the synagogue’s sign and removed it.

For more information on CAM’s antisemitism incidents data, please visit: combatantisemitism.org/newsletters