Audit of Antisemitic Incidents 2024

Key Findings:

The Anti-Defamation League's (ADL) Audit of Antisemitic Incidents for 2024 reports a record-breaking 9,354 incidents in the United States, marking the highest annual total since the organization began tracking in 1979. This figure represents a 5% increase from 2023 and an 893% rise over the past decade.

The incidents encompassed harassment, vandalism, and physical assaults. Notably, 196 assaults were reported, with Orthodox Jews disproportionately targeted, accounting for 34% of assault victims despite representing a smaller fraction of the Jewish population.

New York recorded the highest number of antisemitic incidents, totaling 1,437. Connecticut reported 159 incidents, a slight decrease from 184 in 2023, but with increased severity, including bomb threats and swastika graffiti.

College campuses experienced a significant surge in antisemitic incidents, with 922 reported cases—a 321% increase from the previous year. Jewish institutions, including synagogues and community centers, faced 1,987 incidents, a 237% rise from 2022.

For the first time, a majority (58%) of antisemitic incidents were tied to opposition to Israel and Zionism, particularly following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. The ADL notes that while criticism of Israeli policies is legitimate, certain narratives—such as equating Zionism with Nazism or glorifying violence—cross into antisemitism.

The ADL's 2024 audit underscores a significant and troubling rise in antisemitic incidents across the United States, with a notable shift toward incidents linked to anti-Israel sentiment. The findings highlight the need for nuanced understanding and response strategies that address both the protection of Jewish communities and the preservation of legitimate political expression.