THIS WEEK’S GLOBAL ANTI-SEMITISM REPORT
The United States Senate unanimously confirmed Dr. Deborah Lipstadt as the U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, with the rank of ambassador. CAM CEO Sacha Roytman Dratwa welcomed the confirmation, saying “Dr. Lipstadt is the right envoy at the right time in an era of heightened and worryingly growing antisemitism in the U.S. and across the globe.”
The White House has requested $360 million for the Non-Profit Security Grant Program, a steep increase in proposed funding advocated for by American Jewish groups.
A tragic series of terrorist attacks continued in Israel which saw seven more Israelis murdered in Hadera and Bnei Brak. These attacks, motivated by a deeply religious antisemitism, indiscriminately targeted civilians, resulting in the deaths of seven Israeli Jews, two Ukrainians, and two brave Israeli Arab and Druze police officers.
At least eighteen American Jewish community centers and synagogues received bomb threats in the past month, with latest being on Staten Island. A woman dressed in black and wearing a Nazi armband made antisemitic threats to upset passersby in southern California.
A Jewish woman at the University of Connecticut was expelled from her campus A Capella group after receiving antisemitic harassment for cleaning up flyers demonizing Israel on campus. At Yeshiva University, the NYPD is investigating two incidents of assault and harassment of students.
A man was arrested for pelting Jewish worshippers with eggs outside of London synagogues, and a Jewish man in the Netherlands described being regularly harassed and assaulted by an antisemitic gang that shouts profanities such as ‘Hamas, Hamas, Jews to the gas,’ ‘cancer Jew.’”
This week’s global antisemitism report highlights 39 new media reports of antisemitic incidents. The total includes 17 (43.6%) from the far-right, 10 (25.6%) from the far-left, 3 (7.7%) with Islamist motivations, and 9 (23.1%) unidentifiable in nature.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
UNITED STATES
WOMAN WEARING NAZI EMBLEM MADE ANTISEMITIC COMMENTS IN LAGUNA WOODS, CA AUTHORITIES SAY
By ALEX WIGGLESWORTH
Orange County authorities are recommending hate crime charges against a woman who allegedly yelled antisemitic comments at a man who tried to get her to remove a swastika armband she was wearing in Laguna Woods. The woman was wearing the armband while walking around outside Clubhouse 1, a multi-use community center. A man confronted the woman and she responded with antisemitic comments, Braun said. A physical altercation then ensued as multiple men tried to remove the woman’s armband, Braun said. One of the men was in his 80s, she said.
STATEN ISLAND, NY JCC EVACUATED AFTER BOMB THREAT
By Jacob Henry
The JCC of Staten Island briefly evacuated its buildings on Manor Road and Arthur Kill Road following a bomb threat. Communications Director Allison Cohen said that the JCC received a threatening email, in what may be the latest in a spate of such false threats sent into JCCs and other Jewish institutions around the country. “We have to take every threat seriously,” Cohen said. “The NYPD evacuated two of our buildings. They did a thorough investigation and found it safe to return.” She said the evacuation happened at 8:53 a.m., as parents were bringing their children to preschool.
18 REPORTED BOMB THREATS DIRECTED AT US JCCS AND SYNAGOGUES IN MARCH
By ZVIKA KLEIN
Since the beginning of March, there have been at least 18 reported bomb threats directed at Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) and synagogues in nine states, according to a report by the Secure Community Network (SCN). In a press it said that it “is actively working with community leaders and law enforcement agencies to address a recent wave of bomb threats against Jewish facilities nationwide.” According to SCN, “this alarming number serves as a reminder that the Jewish community remains a top target for hate crimes in the United States and must continue to foster preparedness and resiliency.”
WORLD NEWS
United Kingdom
MAN ARRESTED FOR THROWING EGGS AT JEWISH WORSHIPPERS OUTSIDE EDGWARE SYNAGOGUES
By Jewish News
A man has been arrested in connection to a number of incidents where eggs were thrown at Jewish worshippers outside synagogues in north west London. According to reports, the attacks took place on the last two Saturdays. Police said the suspect was seen driving a car around Hale Lane. The 20-year-old man who was arrested has been bailed pending further enquiries. A police spokesman said: “A number of people have already come forward to provide statements and footage of the incidents, but police are keen to hear from anyone else who can assist their investigation.”
SCOTS RE TEACHER FACES INVESTIGATION OVER ALLEGED “F**K ISRAEL” POSTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
GERMANY
GERMAN POLICE INVESTIGATE FAN FOR NAZI SALUTE DURING SOCCER MATCH AGAINST ISRAEL
By AFP and TOI STAFF
The German soccer association has condemned the behavior of a home supporter who is being investigated for giving the Nazi salute during his team’s win against Israel in Saturday’s friendly match. A 28-year-old man has been questioned by police after repeatedly giving the Nazi salute, which is banned in Germany, during the international in Sinsheim. In a statement, the German Football Association (DFB) said it “strongly condemned the right-wing extremist incident.”
SUSPENDED SENTENCE FOR PLANNED ATTACK ON HAGEN SYNAGOGUE
FRANCE
BRITTANY: SWASTIKAS, ANTISEMITIC AND PRO-ZEMMOUR TAGS ON A LOCAL PS
By TIMES OF ISRAEL STAFF
The local Socialist Party in Douarnenez, Finistère, was the target of many racist and antisemitic tags. Several swastikas were thus drawn on the walls of the building, in addition to numerous pro-Zemmour inscriptions. A poster of Anne Hidalgo was also covered with a Star of David, along with the word “Jew” as well as a hammer and sickle and the Nazi flag next to it. “Z”s and the expression “ACAB” (All cops are bastards) were also discovered.
ANTISEMITIC GRAFFITI IN BOURGES
OTHER WORLD NEWS
‘DON’T LOOK AWAY’: DUTCH JEW REVEALS PERSONAL ORDEAL WITH ANTISEMITIC GANG
By Algemeiner Staff
A Dutch Jew regularly subjected to antisemitic harassment in the town where he lives has spoken about his experience publicly to raise awareness of how Jew-hatred impacts its victims. Kevin Ritstier, 34, a Jewish resident of the town of Wijchen in the Netherlands, highlighted his situation in interviews with local media. Ritstier said he had been subjected to antisemitic harassment from the same gang of young males for two years. “They shout all kinds of slogans,” Ritstier said. “‘Hamas, Hamas, Jews to the gas,’ ‘cancer Jew.’” The gang also follows Ritstier when he walks down the street, taunting him with antisemitic invective and sometimes attempting to kick him. On one occasion, Ritstier was beaten up outside his front door. “My leg was cut open and I had a burst lip and bruises,” he said.
HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL NEAR EMBATTLED UKRAINIAN CITY OF KHARKIV REPORTEDLY DAMAGED IN RUSSIAN SHELLING
By CAM
A Holocaust memorial near the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv was damaged by Russian artillery shells. The menorah-shaped monument is located at Drobytsky Yar, a ravine where more than 15,000 Jews were murdered by the Nazis in December 1941. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry blamed Moscow for Saturday’s incident, saying “Russian invaders fired on and damaged” the memorial. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba questioned why the memorial — a non-military target — was struck, noting it had “never threatened anyone.”
MIDDLE EAST
TERROR IN HADERA: TWO BORDER POLICE OFFICERS KILLED IN ISIS ATTACK
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Two Arab-Israeli terrorists who swore allegiance to ISIS shot and killed two Border Police officers and injured twelve others in Hadera. The two Border Police officers killed in the attack in Hadera were Yazan Fallah, 19, from Kasra Samia, and Shirel Aboukaret, 19, from Netanya. The two terrorists, both residents of Umm el-Fahm, posted a video on Facebook before the attack swearing allegiance to ISIS. The terrorist movement’s news agency published a statement taking responsibility for the attack in Hadera, as well as for the deadly terrorist attack conducted by an ISIS-supporting Bedouin-Israeli in Beersheba last week.
‘WAVE OF MURDEROUS ARAB TERRORISM’: PALESTINIAN GUNMAN KILLS FIVE IN TERROR ATTACK IN BNEI BRAK
By Sharon Wrobel
At least five people were killed in a shooting incident on in Bnei Brak, a city on the outskirts of Tel Aviv in what marked the third deadly terror attack in Israel in just over a week, taking the number of victims to a total of eleven. The armed terrorist, driving on a motorcycle, opened fire at two different locations in Bnei Brak, a city largely populated by the ultra-Orthodox community. The 27-year-old Palestinian first shot dead a passenger in a car and killed another two on a nearby sidewalk. The assailant then moved to different location and killed another two people, before two police officers neutralized the attacker — averting what could have been an even “bigger terror attack.” One of the two police officers was wounded at the scene and rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
ON CAMPUS
JEWISH UCONN STUDENT EXPELLED FROM A CAPPELLA GROUP AFTER FACING ‘ANTISEMITIC HARASSMENT’
By Dion J. Pierre
The University of Connecticut has responded to an incident in which a Jewish student was called antisemitic slurs for removing anti-Zionist flyers posted at a school library. Natalie Shclover entered the library, where she saw hundreds of flyers showing a map of Israel juxtaposed with an image of a child being strangled and a picture of university president Radenka Maric. While Shclover explained that, in her view, allowed to take down the flyers, one of the students began filming the exchange with her cellphone and allegedly said, “Even though you’re a Jew, you still have to respect us.” The students, Shclover said, also called her a “f***king b**ch,” a “white supremacist,” and a “f***king Zionist.” A partial video of the argument was soon posted, and she became a trending topic on UConn Yik Yak, with students posting their full names and campus addresses. She was then direct messaged several threats, and that night, The Chordials — a student a cappella society that Shclover founded, and where she served as president — expelled her from the group.
YESHIVA UNIVERSITY: NYPD INVESTIGATING TWO INSTANCES OF ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT AGAINST STUDENTS ON WILF CAMPUS
By Jonathan Levin
Four students were victims of assault and antisemitic harassment on Wilf Campus in two separate incidents, leaving one student with minor injuries. According to the NYPD, the first incident involved a man walking up to two students, telling them to “Get the f— out of the way” and yelling “I have a gun and will kill you guys!” Shortly afterward, he yelled, “You f—— Jews,” before walking away. The second incident was sparked by two cars running a red light, almost striking two students. The students were subsequently chased by the driver and two passengers. One of the students was then assaulted, leaving a bruise on the left side of his face and causing his mouth to bleed.
PRINCIPAL SAYS NEW SECURITY MEASURES TO HELP WESTFIELD, NJ SCHOOLS FIND SWASTIKA SUSPECT
ANALYSIS & OP-EDS
STUDIES & STATISTICS
NEW SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS ‘CONCERNING’ LEVELS OF ANTISEMITISM IN NEW ZEALAND
By Katie Doyle
High levels of antisemitism have been highlighted in a new survey by the New Zealand Jewish Council, with 63 per cent of respondents agreeing with at least one antisemitic viewpoint. The Antisemitism Survey of New Zealand 2021 put 18 internationally recognised statements to more than 1000 New Zealanders to measure antisemitism sentiment. The survey revealed 21 per cent of respondents held two or more classical antisemitic views, agreeing with statements like “Jews have too much power in international financial markets”, and 6 per cent of those surveyed held nine or more antisemitic views.
GOVERNMENT & POLICY
U.S. SENATE UNANIMOUSLY CONFIRMS DEBORAH LIPSTADT AS ANTISEMITISM MONITOR
By RON KAMPEAS
The Senate in a voice vote unanimously confirmed Deborah Lipstadt, the Holocaust scholar who endured delays and a contentious hearing in her nomination to be antisemitism monitor. The vote took mere seconds. It was not clear from the C-Span video, which Georgia Democrat Jon Ossoff posted on his Twitter feed, how many senators were present for the vote. Lipstadt is now the first antisemitism monitor to have the role of ambassador, under a law passed by Congress in 2020, which enhances her status overseas when she makes representations to foreign governments and allows her more direct access to the secretary of state and to the president should she come across a situation that she believes requires executive action.
WHITE HOUSE REQUESTS $360 MILLION FOR NONPROFIT SECURITY GRANTS FOR 2023
By Marc Rod
The Biden administration is asking for $360 million in funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) in its 2023 budget request to Congress, a shift from the 2022 budget proposal that made no specific funding request for the program. The $360 million funding level was the target level for Jewish groups and some proponents of the program on Capitol Hill this year. Congress approved $250 million in funding for the program for 2022, up from $180 million in 2021. “The Nonprofit Security Grant Program is a vital resource for faith-based communities across the country,” Robert Silvers, the Department of Homeland Security’s undersecretary for policy, told Jewish Insider. “Our administration is strongly committed to growing this program, and will work with Congress to achieve our goal of $360 million in annual funding.”
HUMANITY
UK DESCENDANTS OF JEWISH REFUGEES SEEK TO OPEN DOORS TO UKRAINIANS FLEEING RUSSIAN INVASION
By CAM
Since the Russian invasion of their country began last month, millions of Ukrainians have fled their homes, becoming refugees abroad. In the United Kingdom, more than 150,000 people have signed up as potential hosts for refugees within the framework of the British government’s “Homes for Ukraine” program. The UK’s The Independent newspaper spoke with a number of Britons with Jewish ancestors who escaped pogroms in the late 19th and early 20th centuries or the Nazi regime during World War II who now want to help Ukrainian refugees in their time of need. London resident Louise Kaye, a descendant of Jews who left Ukraine in the 1890s, said, “When the Ukraine war started, I suddenly thought of my grandfathers, and thought if I can help — a mother and child or a couple of children — I have the space to do that.”
US JEWISH COMMUNITY GEARS UP TO ASSIST ABSORPTION OF 100,000 REFUGEES FROM RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE
The Combat Antisemitism Movement is a global coalition engaging more than 360,000 people and 450 organizations from a diverse array of religious, political, and cultural backgrounds in the common mission of fighting the world’s oldest hatred. We act collaboratively to build a better future, free of bigotry, for Jews and all humanity.
