Increase in Antisemitic Incidents Globally: ADL's J7 Task Force Report Highlights Rise in Europe and Beyond

Hate crimes targeting the Jewish community have escalated in various regions worldwide, including Germany, France, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, and Argentina as reported by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL)'s J7 Task Force.

The report highlights an increased number of violent antisemitic incidents, with a significant rise in attacks against schools, synagogues, businesses, and individuals. Statistics show a 75% increase in Germany, 185% in France, and 82% in the UK from 2021 to 2023.

Marina Rosenberg, senior vice president of international affairs at ADL, shares concerns about the intensifying attacks, especially in the wake of the Hamas attack in Israel. She notes that because people are being harassed for their Jewish identity, many community members are hiding their religious symbols as a safety measure. Some have even changed their names on ride-sharing apps to sound less Jewish.

Political extremes on both sides of the spectrum contribute to this volatile situation. Antisemitic sentiments perpetuated by the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) Party have escalated alongside attacks from Muslims and pro-Palestinian individuals. While it's important to note that the perpetrators aren't solely from the far-right or far-left, Rosenberg emphasizes the need for a whole-society approach to combating antisemitism, stating, "It's not only an issue of far-right or far-left or from Islamists or jihadists - it's all over our societies."

Key Insights: Antisemitism in Major Jewish Populations

Here's a GDPR-compliant round-up of the key trends observed in various countries:

United States: The ADL reported a record high of 9,354 antisemitic incidents in 2024, demonstrating an unsettling normality of antisemitism.
United Kingdom: The UK recorded 3,528 incidents in 2024, constituting a significant portion of its daily life, particularly during ongoing anti-Israel marches in major cities.
Argentina: The ADL’s 2024 Global 100 Index ranks Argentina 46th out of 103 countries, with an antisemitism index score of 39%.
Other Countries: The J7 Task Force highlights the global resurgence of antisemitism, both online and offline, with increased incidents and hostile rhetoric noted in multiple nations.

The Wider Impact: A Threat to Society and Democracy

Rosenberg reiterates that antisemitism is not just a threat to the Jewish community but to the very fabric of democratic societies. The disturbing rise in antisemitic incidents has sparked international concern and the need for urgent, globally coordinated action to safeguard Jewish communities and uphold foundational democratic values.

Concerning posts of antisemitic incidents have been increasingly shared on platforms such as WhatsApp, exacerbating the problem in the year 2023.
The ADL's J7 Task Force has reported an alarming increase in antisemitic crimes in general-news and crime-and-justice sections, highlighting the need for politics to address this issue.
As discussed in a report by the ADL's J7 Task Force, antisemitic attacks in major Jewish populations like the US and the UK have surged dramatically, posing a serious threat to democratic values.
The resurgence of antisemitism globally, with incidents occurring in multiple nations, represents a threatening influence on society as a whole and requires immediate attention in the realm of crime-and-justice and general-news, as well as in the realm of politics.