Antisemitism in the United States A Critical Look at the Data, Monitoring, and Measurement

Key Findings:

This research discusses the two main methods currently used to assess antisemitism in the US—monitoring incidents and surveying public opinion—and presents the main organizations engaged in this activity. Initial directions for thinking about the new and developing field of monitoring antisemitism in social media are suggested, as are assessments on the links between antisemitic perceptions, discourse, and actions. Discussion of the challenges in measuring and assessing antisemitism follow, alongside recommendations for improving its measurement and assessment.

Government entities, law enforcement agencies, and civil society organizations play a crucial role in tracking and documenting antisemitic incidents in the United States. Their comprehensive databases, conduct polls, and publish reports to analyze the nature, trends, and changes in antisemitism, and provide essential data for raising public awareness, formulating strategies, and ensuring the safety of Jewish communities and institutions.

The ADL's website provides daily reports and a "HEAT map" showcasing incidents related to extreme ideologies in the US. The map specifies the type of ideology and classifies incidents into various categories. Since World War I, the FBI has tracked hate crimes in the US, defining them as actions driven by prejudice based on race, religion, disability, sexual preference, ethnicity, or gender identification. 

The latest FBI report stated that 9% of hate crimes in 2020 targeted Jews, but it's challenging to identify specific trends as the proportion of anti-Jewish incidents has remained relatively consistent over the past decade. The ADL chair criticized the report, highlighting that it likely underrepresents the actual number of hate crimes against Jews due to incomplete data reported by some local authorities.

Multiple entities monitor antisemitic incidents, including the Kantor Center in Israel, the Israeli government, and organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) in the US. Monitoring methods and definitions vary among these organizations, with some focusing on hate groups and others tracking BDS activities and Israel-related issues. The reporting of antisemitic incidents is incomplete, and databases may not capture all relevant details or incidents that go unreported. Duplicate reports and collection bias can also distort the data. 

Violent attacks against Jews have shown a concerning upward trend. Non-violent incidents depend on public awareness and willingness to report. The relationship between criticism of Israel and antisemitism remains a point of disagreement, affecting monitoring methods and definitions. The IHRA definition is widely used but has faced criticism, leading to proposal of alternate definitions. Despite methodological challenges, monitoring plays a crucial role in raising awareness about antisemitism among the public, professionals, and decision-makers.

Opinion polls on antisemitism examine attitudes towards the Jewish minority, the presence of antisemitic views in the general population, and the perception of antisemitism among Jews themselves. One way to gauge public sentiment towards Jews in the US is by measuring the willingness to vote for a Jewish presidential candidate, which has significantly increased over time. Additionally, measures such as affinity towards Jews indicate a positive shift in public perception, with Jews receiving a warmer reception compared to other groups in the country.

It should be noted that the wording of survey questions can influence responses. The act of asking about Jews or antisemitism itself may elicit biased responses, and respondents might hide their true opinions or provide pleasing answers. Additionally, surveys among Jews on their feelings about antisemitism can be influenced by factors such as age, socioeconomic status, political allegiance, identification with Israel, and general affinity to Judaism. Caution should be exercised when interpreting public opinion polls on antisemitism, and it is recommended to consider surveys covering longer durations and from multiple sources.

The situation of Jews in the US, from a historical perspective, is generally positive. However, to obtain a comprehensive understanding of antisemitism, data from opinion polls should be combined with data on antisemitic incidents, utilizing reliable and long-term measurements. Monitoring antisemitism (despite challenges such as the social media sphere, inconsistent definitions, and gaps in reporting) ultimately raises awareness, prevents outbreaks of harassment and violence, and ensures the phenomenon remains taboo.