Anti-Semitic incidents in United States hit all-time high in 2021, ADL says

Antisemitic incidents reported in the United States reached an “all-time high” in 2021, reaching levels never before seen in the Anti-Defamation League’s recorded history, the agency said Tuesday.

There was an average of more than seven antisemitic incidents per day in 2021, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) found. The agency counted 2,717 antisemitic incidents nationwide last year. 

“This represents a 34% increase from the 2,026 incidents recorded in 2020 and is the highest number on record since ADL began tracking antisemitic incidents in 1979,” the ADL’s Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents states. 

There were 1,776 incidents of harassment, 853 incidents of vandalism and 88 assaults. All three metrics saw significant increases from the year prior. 

Swastikas were present in nearly 600 acts of vandalism, and 11 of the assaults were perpetrated with deadly weapons, according to the ADL, although there were no deaths. More than 500 incidents occurred at synagogues, community centers and Jewish schools. 

New York, New Jersey, California, Florida, Michigan and Texas reported the highest number of incidents. 

The report notes antisemitic incidents surged in May 2021 amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas. There was a 148 percent increase in incidents when compared to May 2020. 

“While we have always seen a rise in antisemitic activity during periods of increased hostilities between Israel and terrorist groups, the violence we witnessed in America during the conflict last May was shocking,” Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director said in a statement. 

“Jews were being attacked in the streets for no other reason than the fact that they were Jewish, and it seemed as if the working assumption was that if you were Jewish, you were blameworthy for what was happening half a world away,” Greenblatt said. 

The ADL says there were 387 incidents reported in May with most occurring after the start of military action. The group notes, however, the increase was one of many throughout the year, including in November and December when there was “no similar triggering factor.” 

Dov Hikind, who is the founder of Americans Against Antisemitism, told Fox News Digital, “the numbers are out of control.”

“Jews are getting beaten up. Jews are afraid to walk through the streets,” said Hikind, who is also a former New York State assemblyman. “Jews hide anything that identifies them as Jews … I hide my Star of David. I take off my yarmulke when I go into Manhattan.” Asked his thoughts about the ADL’s audit report, Hikind said he was “not surprised.”

Hikind said he believed the statistics were likely even higher, explaining that most incidents go unreported. “If you think these numbers are bad, they’re much worse than what the actual numbers are,” he continued, “because so many people are not reporting what happens to them.”