An extensive survey conducted among American Jewish communities over the past year has illuminated the escalating scale of antisemitism
in the Western world since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war
following Hamas' attack on Israel on Oct. 7. The data reveals that
approximately 3.5 million adult American Jews – representing about
one-third of the Jewish population – and about 380,000 children have
experienced some form of antisemitism since Oct. 7.
The survey was conducted by Dr. Ira Sheskin from the University of Miami and was commissioned by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM).
"Alarmingly, 3 in 4 Jews don't report incidents to external entities
outside their family. The impact of these experiences is profound, with
61% of American Jews reporting feeling less safe since October 7," CAM
said in statement. The organization further added, "On a positive note,
49% of respondents expressed that they have received support from
non-Jewish individuals because of their Jewish identity – an increase
from 33% from earlier studies."
The results of the in-depth survey,
which sampled 1,075 respondents, reflect a severe impact on the sense of
security among American Jewry, comparing sentiments before and after
the events of Oct. 7. The data indicates that antisemitism experienced
by local Jewish communities in the US has more than doubled since 2018.
The situation in the US is
particularly acute in higher education institutions, especially on Ivy
League campuses. 39% of survey respondents indicated that in the past
year since Oct. 7, they felt "uncomfortable" or "unsafe" at a campus
event due to their Jewish identity, while about 29% felt excluded from a
group or event on campus because of their Jewish background.
It is deeply concerning to learn from
the survey that one in four Jews experienced discrimination or
discomfort from a faculty member, teaching assistant, or instructor
because of their Jewish identity. This situation has fostered an
atmosphere of apprehension and fear among Jewish students in the US,
leading to "self-censorship." About 35% of Jewish students reported
avoiding expressing opinions about Israel due to fear of antisemitism,
up from 29% previously.
As the anniversary of Hamas' deadly
assault approached, the FBI and the US Department of Homeland Security
issued a joint warning, cautioning that "this day may serve as a
motivating factor for violence by violent extremists and hate crime
perpetrators." This grave warning aligns with the concerning data
uncovered in the survey conducted by the research department of CAM -
The Combat Antisemitism Movement in collaboration with the National
Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago.
An intriguing additional finding
highlighted by the survey data is the influence of antisemitic
manifestations on the voting patterns of US Jews in the upcoming
elections. 43% of respondents indicated that antisemitism will affect
how they vote.
Regarding antisemitism on social
media, 58% of survey participants reported exposure to antisemitic
content on social networks since Oct. 7, with about 16% reporting
targeted focus due to their Jewish identity – twice the rate observed in
2020. The survey ranks social networks by severity of antisemitic
content, with Facebook topping the list, followed by Instagram, X,
YouTube, and TikTok.
Another troubling statistic concerns
the Jewish symbols that American Jews refrain from wearing or displaying
in public. 38% of US Jews reported avoiding wearing Jewish symbols, 41%
hesitated to participate in Jewish community events, and 27% of survey
respondents admitted that they now avoid displaying their Jewish
identity in the workplace, compared to 18% before Oct. 7.
Moreover, among respondents
affiliated with a Jewish organization or synagogue, 25% reported that
their institution has been a target of attacks, threats, hate
inscriptions, and graffiti since Oct. 7; 21% indicated that local
businesses were targets of antisemitic vandalism; and 18% felt
uncomfortable or unsafe in the workplace because of their Jewish
identity. The prominent expressions of antisemitism experienced by US
Jews in the past year included vandalism, graffiti, jokes, use of slurs,
online harassment, rejection or exclusion from social events, and even
tangible physical threats.
Sacha Roytman Dratwa, CEO of CAM,
stated: "The survey findings are deeply painful and serve as further
evidence of the level of hatred, terror, and violence prevailing in the
world since Oct. 7. The phenomenon of antisemitism does not spare any
aspect of American Jewish life. In the past year, US Jews have avoided
wearing or displaying Jewish symbols; endured threats, harassment, and
incidents in real life and on social networks, in workplaces, on
campuses, and in universities; been excluded from social events; and
experienced a harsh daily reality that, if not stopped, will lead to
bloodshed. This is another crucial reminder of why we all need to fight
against antisemitism on a daily basis, and to publicly speak out against
any entity that commits, justifies, or backs acts of terror or violence
against Jews, directly or indirectly."
"This survey emphasizes the number of Jews impacted by antisemitism
rather than just the number of incidents," Professor Sheskin said. He
added, "The results are deeply concerning and highlight the need for
immediate action to address rising antisemitism in America."
Misha Galperin, PhD, a member of the Board of Governors of the Combat
Antisemitism Movement (CAM), said, "The explosion of anti-Jewish hate
since October 7 in this country has profoundly impacted individuals,
families, and communities." He added, "The extent of that impact on
American Jews documented by this survey is simply stunning."
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