PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A historic number of antisemitic events was reported in the U.S. last year, according to the Anti-Defamation League’s 2022 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, which was released Thursday morning.
Antisemitic incidents averaged about 10 a day nationwide, and incidents of harassment rose by 73% in Pennsylvania. Andrew Goretsky, ADL regional director, said the audit found the most antisemitic incidents on record since the ADL started keeping track in 1979.
The report cites 3,697 U.S. incidents in 2022 compared to 2,717 in 2021 — a 36% spike. Those increases are reflected regionally as well.
While no assaults were reported in Pennsylvania, there were 114 incidents of antisemitic harassment and vandalism last year, and 408 in New Jersey.
The number of incidents has been trending upward over the last several years, but Goretsky said this significant year-over-year jump is shocking.
“We’re not just talking … an increase of 3%, 4% or 5%. It’s an increase of 36% nationally compared to 2021,” he cited.
What’s even more disturbing, he said, was the number of antisemitic incidents that took place in schools.
“The K-12 increases that we saw were students in middle school, in high school, often referencing the statements from Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West,” Goretsky said. “Children act as barometers of hate in society, and the fact that there are incidents in schools show that hate is so pervasive, our children are now imitating that hate that they see around them.”
Although the spike is record-breaking, Goretsky said most incidents still go unreported.
“If you’re uncertain, report it. When in doubt, report it,” he advised. “Don’t make the assessment whether something is antisemitic or racist or anti-LGBTQ. Don’t make the assessment whether it’s criminal or not. Report it to the police; let them know. Report it to ADL.”