More Than 3/4 of US Jews More Fearful of Antisemtism After Recent Surge of Incidents

Some 77% of Jews in the US are more fearful of antisemitism in the country following the surge of Jew-hatred incidents that accompanied last month’s Israel-Gaza violence, according to a new Anti-Defamation League (ADL) survey. 

The increase in antisemitism included physical assaults (including a violent attack on Jewish diners at a Los Angeles sushi restaurant), vandalism, and hate speech, both in person and online.

“In the past month, the American Jewish community has been under increased threat of violence and harassment,” an ADL statement said. “Their responses indicate that American Jews have witnessed more antisemitic incidents, are concerned for their safety and feel there is more that leaders should be doing to address this. ”

A total of 41% of respondents said they were more worried for their personal safety than they were before the Middle East flare-up. And more than half, 56%, said calls to boycott, divest from or sanction Israel were “definitely or probably antisemitic.”

Furthermore, at least 3/4 of respondents wanted U.S. President Joe Biden, civil rights groups, and non-Jewish faith leaders to do more to address the antisemitism issue.

The full survey results can be read here.