Washington – A new report from the Anti-Defamation League has found a 14 percent decline in recorded anti-Semitic incidents across the United States, the organization said on Monday.
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The audit of 2012 records identified 17 physical assaults, 470 cases of harassment or threat, and 440 cases of vandalism in which the target was Jewish and the motive allegedly hatred.
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While reporting an overall decline, anti-Semitic incidents spiked in New York last year, the ADL found. A total of 248 instances were recorded, amounting to a 28 percent increase.
California, Florida and Massachusetts experienced the steepest declines.
“While we cannot point to any single explanation for the fluctuations from year to year, the declines of the past several years occur within the context of the continued proliferation of hatred online,” said Barry Curtiss-Lusher, ADL National Chair. “Unlike years ago, when racists handed out pamphlets on street corners or sent them through the mail, the Internet provides racists and bigots with an outlet to reach a potential audience of millions.”
In a prepared statement, the ADL noted that the number of physical assaults has remained relatively stable.
“It is encouraging that in the past few years we have seen a fairly consistent decline in the number of anti-Semitic incidents in the United States,” said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. “While these numbers only provide one snapshot of anti-Semitism in America, to the extent that they serve as a barometer the decline shows that we have made progress as a society in confronting anti-Jewish hatred.”
While the ADL devotes itself to the civil rights causes of various minorities, the organization was originally founded to combat anti-Semitism. It has conducted this survey since 1979.
Content is provided courtesy of the Jerusalem Post
Can anyone say, “East Ramapo ?” I feel it everyday. Sad.
Luke.
The decline occurred after they found out George Zimmerman wasn’t Jewish.
East Ramapo? Of course, but it’s not just the schools. My neighbors stand in front of the only non Frum resident on the block who has lived in the same house for 40+ years. They block his driveway and won’t let him leave on Shabbos! He honks his horn and they refuse to move and unfortunately, he won’t call the police. This is a sweet older gentlemen, and I feel just awful that he is a prisoner in his own house on Shabbos because of cruel neighbors.
New York is probably higher because Jews have a higher profile and not in every case is the Jewish expression true to Jewish Dignity.
Does the New York Jewish Federations decision to boycot Jews living in Judea and Samaria count as Anti-Semitism ?
It is high time we learn to do some self-analysis. Is it just possible that New York anti-semitism’s growth stems from the growing “in your face” attitudes displayed by our frum coreligionists? The flagrant double-parking in Flatbush and Boro Park, the disproportionate use of speeding SUVs by young women on cell phones, the ill-manners exhibited at supermarket market check out counters, the ubiquitous posters pasted on every available wall space and light pole, etc.,etc., etc.
Also, perhaps Judaism is not dependent on wearing a Taalis outside your coat on a Shabbos or on a Shabbos siren sounding Fridays.