Alarming Rise in Anti-Jewish Beliefs in U.S. Confirmed by New Report | |
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BACKGROUND
The terrifying hostage crisis at a Colleyville, TX, synagogue shocked the nation in January 2022 – foreshadowing a year of increasing hostility towards American Jews – from brazen assaults in broad daylight to vitriol spewed by celebrities and politicians, A just released, comprehensive national report confirms the worst fears of American Jews: a sharp rise in anti-Jewish beliefs.
The ADL’s Antisemitic Attitudes in America report details a substantial increase in the belief of anti-Jewish tropes. Survey respondents were asked to rate the truthfulness of 14 statements describing traditional anti-Jewish tropes, including conspiracy theories often linked to violence. Americans today espouse a belief in at least six of the 14 anti-Jewish statements – more than doubling to 20% from the record low of 9% three years ago. This is the highest rate in 30 years, translating to more than 66 million Americans holding a significant number of anti-Jewish views. Ten million Americans believe in 11 of the false tropes, which is a number greater than the entire U.S. Jewish population. Only 15% of Americans do not believe in any of the hate-filled tropes.
One of the common historical myths is that Jews have too much power. One-fifth of Americans agree with this hateful sentiment, according to the ADL survey. So did the Colleyville attacker. The terrorist flew thousands of miles, selected a synagogue near another imprisoned terrorist, timed his attack for when Jews would be at Shabbat services, bought a gun, ranted about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and held a rabbi and other Jews hostage. The shooter made that rabbi call – not the media, not a senator – but another rabbi to demand a prisoner be released, and held out until he was killed or his ‘ideological sister’ was freed. According to the synagogue’s rabbi, the terrorist “literally thought that Jews control the world.” The white nationalist terrorist who murdered 11 Jews at the Tree of Life Pittsburgh synagogue also shared the same belief.
A growing percentage of Americans believe anti-Jewish tropes in the business world, accusing Jews of being greedy and powerful. More than half of Jewish workers reported workplace discrimination in a 2022 sociological study, that also found that anti-Jewish prejudice is linked to a view that Jews are foreigners. Displays of antisemitism are becoming more common in the workplace. Recently, a Jewish corporate consultant described her experience of someone refusing to network with her because she is Jewish. Americans seem to feel more comfortable expressing their anti-Jewish views today than they have previously. There is also some evidence that hiring managers are less likely to hire Jewish applicants.
The ADL data reveals an overlap between Jewish-focused and Israel-focused antisemitism, demonstrating a link between hatred of Jews and hatred of Israel. Pervasive anti-Israel sentiments continue to spread on university campuses. StandWithUs filed a civil rights complaint against George Washington University for failing to protect Jewish and Israeli students who were “singled out for repeated and persistent harassment when their Jewish and Israeli identities were disparaged by faculty and peers.”
The number of Americans who believe damaging statements against Israel – especially among younger Americans – and about Jews being more loyal to Israel is worrying. Nearly 40% of Americans believe in the disloyalty trope, 40% equate the Israeli treatment of Palestinians with the Nazi treatment of Jews and 10% state that Israel doesn’t have the right to self-defense against those trying to destroy the Jewish state. A recent march at the University of Michigan included calls for terrorist attacks against Israel with the intention of destroying Israel.
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1. Anti-Jewish hatred can lead to acts of violence
Many Americans embrace anti-Jewish attitudes but seldom act on them. Many Americans harbor anti-Jewish conspiracy theories but seldom act on them. When they become radicalized through incitement on the internet or through participation in hate groups, serious and real issues arise – turning a somewhat benign individual into a potential threat to the Jewish community. Anti-Jewish hate was a contributing factor to the murderous rampages at synagogues in Pittsburgh, and Poway, CA. It also warped the view of the British national who flew all the way to Texas to take Jews hostage. All it takes to carry out a deadly attack against Jews is for one person to be indoctrinated with hate and turn their beliefs into deadly action.
2. Those in positions of influence must use their power wisely
Whether it’s athletes, actors, comedians or politicians, anyone who holds a mic, has a fan following or a platform of influence in the public eye must understand the importance and potential danger of their associations. Several influential entertainment icons at the top of their industries are using their social platforms and traditional media to perpetuate age-old stereotypes against Jews to millions of impressionable followers. An influencer in any capacity has a solemn responsibility to carefully consider the impact of their words and actions. At a time when anti-Jewish hate is spreading virally both online and offline, influencers must speak out against hatred quickly and effectively.
3. Education fosters understanding and counters hate
Attacks against Jews do not happen in a vacuum. The alarming increase in antisemitic beliefs and assaults against Jews proves that there is a clear and present danger. Mis-information and dis-information are more prevalent – especially in social media echo chambers – feeding the fires that false tropes and hateful rhetoric ignite. The key to countering malicious and vile falsehoods is to provide a meaningful, fact-based education to all open-minded individuals. Countering deep-rooted hateful beliefs by teaching acceptance and appreciation takes time but is definitely worth the effort. Education is more important than ever.
4. Jewish institutions must be vigilant in protecting themselves from threats
While education and outreach are important, synagogues, JCCs, Federations, schools and other Jewish organizations often need to take other proactive measures to protect themselves against threats. Jewish institutions can fortify themselves against acts of hate by maintaining a strong relationship with local police and having access to private security organizations. Jewish communities may utilize resources like the Secure Community Network, which plays a critical role in protecting Jewish life. From monitoring social posts in their own neighborhoods to having adequate security procedures to protect employees and members, each community must do their part. A “neighborhood watch” program to keep eyes open for suspicious activity and reporting it to proper authorities is vital to keeping all forms of hate from taking any form of action.
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A. Advocacy and partnerships between Jews and other religious and ethnic groups are essential
Interfaith relationships between Christians, Muslims and Jews has helped the Jewish community in Colleyville, TX, recover from last year’s trauma. Hatred against Jews isn’t just a problem for Jews. The Jewish community desperately needs voices of solidarity to speak out against hate – creating a united front against bigotry. Hands of mutual support must reach across the barriers that have the power to either divide or diversify us. There shouldn’t be a minority when it comes to condemning hatred. When Jews and their allies stand together against the hate mongers who would seek to destroy Jews and Israel, we form a mighty majority.
B. Call on leaders to speak out and step up measures to protect the U.S. Jewish community
A new AJC survey shows that 87% of U.S. Jews felt less safe after the hostage crisis in Texas, with younger Jews being more worried about their safety. It is imperative that all Americans concerned about the safety of the Jewish community reach out to their U.S. Congressional representatives to pass legislation providing faith-based communities with more federal funding to protect their places of worship and community institutions. There is also a group of bipartisan lawmakers urging additional a funding increase for the U.S. antisemitism envoy’s office.
C. When you see something, say something
When you see or hear someone spewing anti-Jewish vile or making threats against Jews on social media, alert the proper authorities. Major Jewish organizations offer resources for reporting antisemitic incidents, occurring both online and offline, such as ADL and StandWithUs. The Combat Antisemitism Movement also helped launch a platform to report hateful content on social media sites. You can alert your Congressional representatives by having a prepared message sent, or better yet, use the text as a template for sending your own email. See misleading news reporting? Send a letter to the editor. Also check out the ADL’s REPAIR Plan: Fighting Hate in the Digital World. Visit antisemitism-911.org to learn more about how to quickly respond to antisemitic events when they occur.
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Honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Many local and national Jewish organizations honored the legendary civil rights activist on 2023’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day. There was an interfaith service held at an LA synagogue, and inter-faith marches in Phoenix and Boston, and volunteering opportunities in NY. Dr. King’s ability to bring together different religious and ethnic groups to support a united cause was an important characteristic and shows what can be accomplished through dialogue and partnership.
Dr. King was a friend of Jews and Israel: “The whole world must see that Israel must exist, and has the right to exist, and is one of the great outposts of democracy in the world.” (video clip)
Stories Impacting the U.S. and Israel
o “Where’s the Victory?”: “Hamas brought looting, theft, oppression,
humiliation, nepotism and unemployment.”
o “Don’t Tell Me How to Resist”: “The city has taken on a vibe of
backwardness, inhumanity and militarism.”
o “My Brother is Gone”: “Hamas beat him repeatedly to make him confess to
things he had nothing to do with.”
o "With Stones ... Again": “Hamas’s jail is full of honorable people. Anyone who
tries to think for himself, winds up there.”
o "Bring Back the Dabke": “I want Gaza to be liberated from the government of
Hamas. Then Gaza will develop.”
o “Bermuda Triangle”: “Gazans should be living very comfortably, thanks to so
much aid and support. But our ruling faction controls everything.”
o "A Policy of Muzzling": “There is only room for a single narrative and a single
voice.”
o "There's No Making Peace with Them": “Do I believe in peace with Hamas?
No. There can’t be peace with them.”
Fauda
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Many Americans harbor anti-Jewish conspiracy theories but seldom act on them. When they become radicalized through incitement on the internet or through participation in hate groups, serious and real issues arise – turning a somewhat benign individual into a potential threat to the Jewish community. All it takes to carry out a deadly attack against Jews is for one person to be indoctrinated with hate and turn their beliefs into deadly action.
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The ADL’s latest report reveals staggering statistics about American beliefs and perceptions about Jews. Mis-information and dis-information are more prevalent than ever – especially in social media echo chambers – feeding the fire that false tropes and hateful rhetoric ignite. A critical step in countering the malicious and vile falsehoods is to provide a meaningful, fact-based education about Jewish culture, history, values and beliefs. All open-minded individuals have an obligation to both learn what’s true about Jews and teach the facts. Education is more important now than ever.
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We hope you will find this information useful in your writing and/or speaking, and we believe your feedback will be tremendously valuable. Reach out to us at: info@focus-project.org – or reply directly to this edition of our weekly talking points. Thanks
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