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Dr. Claudine Gay, President of Harvard University, Liz Magill, President of University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Pamela Nadell, Professor of History and Jewish Studies at American University, and Dr. Sally Kornbluth, President of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, testify before the House Education and Workforce Committee at the Rayburn House Office Building, in Washington, D.C., Dec. 5, 2023. Photo: Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images.

Ten Most Shocking Antisemitic Incidents of December 2023

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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 December 2023 are as follows:

1. At Congressional Hearing, Heads of Three Top US Universities Decline to Explicitly Say Calls for Genocide of Jews Violate Campus Anti-Harassment Rules

When New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik asked directly if “calling for the genocide of Jews” was against the codes of conduct of Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of Pennsylvania, all three presidents said the answer “depends on the context.”

2. German Authorities Thwart Attack by Hamas-Linked Members on Jewish Institutions

On Dec. 14, German authorities arrested four individuals affiliated with Hamas, suspected of planning attacks on Jewish institutions in Berlin.

This came just hours after reports of a foiled terror attack in Denmark. Danish authorities said they had made several arrests in a coordinated action across the country on suspicion of preparation for an antisemitic terrorist attack.

3. Man Tells Police ‘Free Palestine’ After Firing Two Shots Outside Synagogue in Albany, New York

A man who fired a shotgun twice outside Temple Israel in Albany, New York, on Dec. 7 told police “Free Palestine” as he was taken into custody.

No one was injured in the shooting, which occurred just before the start of Hanukkah.

The suspect was identified as 28-year-old Mufid Fawaz Alkhader.

4. 13-Year-Old Accused of Planning Mass Shooting at Temple Israel in Canton, Ohio

The Stark County Sheriff’s Office said it responded to a Plain Township residence on Sept. 7 for a report of a 13-year-old boy engaging in “concerning conversations” on a social media platform. Those conversations included numerous threats toward the Temple Israel on 30th Street NW in Canton.

5. ‘You’re Jewish, We Will Rape You’: Nursery Director Targeted in Paris Attack

A nursery director in Champigny-sur-Marne, a suburb of Paris, was the target of a severe antisemitic attack on Dec. 12. An unknown man armed with a knife broke into the nursery, confronting the director with alarming threats.

The assailant’s words, “You’re Jewish, you’re a Zionist. Five of us will come to rape you, cut you up like they do in Gaza,” caused widespread concern and condemnation.

6. Israelis Attacked in London While Putting Up Posters of Hostages Held by Hamas

A group of Israelis hanging posters on the streets of London of hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza was attacked twice on Thursday, according to footage published by Channel 12 News.

In the first incident, which was not filmed, the group was hanging posters in north London’s Camden Town market area, when a woman began to shout at them. She accused them of spreading lies, and voiced support for the Lebanon-based Hezbollah terror group.

Later in the day in nearby Chalk Farm, in northwest London, they reported another violent encounter as they were hanging posters.

7. Ottawa Youth Charged With ‘Terrorism’ Offenses for Alleged Targeting of Jews

Canadian officials charged a youth in Ottawa with “terrorism” offenses over alleged targeting of the Jewish community, police said on Dec. 16, amid warnings of rising antisemitism from the war in the Middle East.

The suspect was charged with “facilitation of a terrorist activity by communicating instructional material related to an explosive substance” and “knowingly instructing, directly or indirectly, a person to carry out a terrorist activity against Jewish persons,” a police statement said.

8. Turkey’s Erdogan Says Netanyahu Worse Than Hitler, Israel Running ‘Nazi Camps’

In a Dec. 27 speech in Ankara, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the systematic slaughter of 6 million Jews in the Holocaust was not as bad as Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza, and likened Israel’s treatment of Palestinians in the Strip to that of Jews rounded up in concentration and death camps.

“We’ve seen the Nazi camps of Israel. How does this happen? They used to talk about Hitler, but how are you any different than Hitler?” he asked of Israel.

“This is even worse than Hitler,” he added to raucous applause. “What Netanyahu is doing is no less than what Hitler did.”

“Hitler was not as rich as [Netanyahu] is,” Erdogan continued after a short pause. “He is richer than Hitler. He takes support from the West, he receives all kinds of support from the U.S., and with all that support, 20,000 Gazans have been killed.”

9. Public Menorah Desecrations Fuel Hanukkah-Linked Antisemitism Spike

As Jewish communities worldwide celebrated Hanukkah, the festivities were clouded by the ongoing global surge of antisemitic incidents triggered by the October 7th Hamas attack in Israel.

Even in calmer times, the annual eight-day Jewish “Festival of Lights” is generally accompanied by a spike of antisemitic incidents worldwide, as the holiday’s high visibility — with menorahs on display in prominent open locations and the windows of private homes — provides an easily-accessible, target-rich environment for Jew-haters.

And unfortunately, this year was no exception.

10. Bomb Threat Sent to Buenos Aires Jewish Center Hit in Deadly 1994 Attack

The AMIA Jewish center in Buenos Aires, the site of a 1994 bombing that killed 85 people, was hit with a bomb threat on Dec. 6.

Law enforcement searched the premises and determined that the threat was a false alarm. The building’s operations continued normally during the search, according to the Buenos Aires Herald.

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

 

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