What it is about:

Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), highlighted a dramatic 900% increase in antisemitic incidents across the United States over the past decade, during a conversation on The Jerusalem Post Podcast. This trend underscores longstanding and escalating challenges concerning antisemitism in the country.

Why it matters:

This surge in antisemitic activities affirms the increasing pressing need for effective countermeasures and broader awareness as these actions compromise the safety and well-being of Jewish communities in the U.S. It emphasizes the urgency for society to confront bigotry with resolved empathy towards peace and mutual respect.

The big picture:

Greenblatt explained that antisemitism witnessed a continual spike starting in 2016. Record highs in antisemitic incidents were documented in 2019, 2021, and 2022, culminating in an exacerbated surge post-October 7, 2023. The ADL’s data relies on incidents that include harassment, vandalism, and violence targeting Jewish individuals and institutions based on their identity with certain discriminatory actions forming grounds for civil legal action rather than criminal charges.

Why Israel and its allies should pay attention:

This substantial rise presents not only a challenge for America but also resonates globally, intensifying the necessity for vigilance, solidarity, and collaborative efforts between Israel and its allies to confront and mitigate antisemitic ideologies and actions. Promoting awareness and standing against all forms of hate is essential to fostering a cooperative global community.

Jonathan Greenblatt and the ADL’s vigilance serve as vital eyes and ears, bringing these pressing issues to public consciousness, advocating for constructive action against rising antisemitism to pave the path to long-term cohesiveness and harmony.

This story was first published on jpost.com.