Digital Library
ADL Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents in the United States
Topic:
Antisemitism & Antizionism, General/Other
Principal Investigators:
ALG [Anzalone, Liszt, Grove] Research
Study Date:
2017
Source:
Berman Jewish DataBank,Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
Key Findings:
ADL noted in the 2017 Press Release summary of the 2016 and 2017 surveys:
"The polls, based on 3,600 interviews conducted in the U.S. in January and February 2017, and another 1,500 interviews in October 2016, were released as part of ADL’s ongoing research into anti-Jewish attitudes under the ADL."
3,600 US interviews conducted in 2017 from January 16 to February 27, 2017.
The margin of error for the USA general population was +/-1.6 percent. The margin of error for USA Muslims was +/-3 percent.
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2016: Approximately 1,500 interviews completed in 2016 interviews by Marttila Strategies from October 18-October 29, 2016 - study included over-samples of Hispanic Americans and African-American respondents.
Margin of error for the 2016 study was +/- 4%; please see the 2016 report study page at the Berman Jewish DataBank for additional data and details on study methodology.
Methodology:
Results of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) studies on anti-Semitism and the broader topic of violence against religious groups were issued in April 2017.
The ADL press release noted that:
"Two new public opinion polls commissioned by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reveal important trends among Americans in terms of their views of Jews and other religious minorities."
"The surveys reveal that while anti-Semitic attitudes in the United States have increased slightly to 14 percent, the vast majority of Americans hold respectful opinions of their Jewish neighbors.
However, for the first time ADL found a majority of Americans (52 percent) saying that they are concerned about violence in the U.S. directed at Jews, and an even a higher percentage (76 percent) concerned about violence directed at Muslims.
More than eight in 10 Americans (84 percent) believe it is important for the government to play a role in combating anti-Semitism, up from 70 percent in 2014."
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Summary of 2017 interviews in the press release/report focused on reactions to the 2016 US Presidential campaign, and on an expanded global perspective on anti-Semitism research.
47% of 2017 survey respondents felt that there was more anti-Semitism in the 2016 election than previously (39% "no more" anti-Semitism than during previous Presidential campaigns.
59% felt Donald Trump held anti-Muslim views, 54% racist views, 53% anti-Latino views - but only 33% thought he held anti-Semitic views.
The January-February 2017 survey results reflected broad concern about anti-Semitism during the 2016 presidential campaign, with most Americans saying Donald Trump should have done more to discourage it.
Muslim Americans
The 2017 poll was the first time that the ADL Global 100 examined American Muslims’ attitudes toward Jews and to their own place in American society.
"Thirty-four (34) percent of American Muslims hold anti-Semitic views, but that is far lower than Muslims in Europe, where 55 percent hold these views, and the Middle East/North Africa, where 75 percent hold anti-Semitic views."
"In a further sign of contrast, a majority of Muslims in those two regions hold unfavorable views of Israel, yet 50 percent of Muslim Americans polled had a favorable view of Israel."
"Six in 10 Muslim Americans say they are concerned about the possible rise of Islamic extremism in the U.S., and 51 percent believe Muslim leaders in the U.S. have 'done as much as they should' to counter extremism. Another 39 percent say Muslim leaders 'have not done enough to speak out' against Islamic extremists."
"Eighty-nine (89) percent of Muslim Americans are concerned about violence directed at them and Islamic institutions in the U.S., and 64 percent said that they do not believe the government is doing enough to ensure their safety. On a related point, while 72 percent of Muslims said they do not believe they need to hide their faith, 66 percent said they feel less safe in America since President Trump was elected."