ADL Audit: Anti-Semitic Incidents at Highest Level

ADL Audit: Anti-Semitic Incidents at Highest Level

NewsMax.com Wires
Tuesday, April 5, 2005

Anti-Semitic incidents in the United States have reached their highest level in nine years, according to newly released statistics from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). The League's annual Audit of Anti- Semitic Incidents, issued today, reported a total of 1,821 anti- Semitic incidents in 2004, an increase of 17 percent over the 1,557 incidents reported during 2003.

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In California, the number of reported incidents rose from 180 for 2003 to 237 for 2004, an increase of more than 30 percent. In Northern California, the number of reported incidents went up from 63 for 2003 to 72 for 2004, an increase of more than 12 percent. San Francisco County had the highest number of reported anti- Semitic incidents in the Bay Area (22). Alameda County (10), Contra Costa County (6) and Santa Clara County (9) were significantly higher than other counties in the region.

Among the incidents reported to the ADL Central Pacific Region in 2004:

A rash of vandalism targeting a synagogue in Eureka, CA, including anti-Semitic graffiti, and broken furniture and objects thrown against a door during religious services for young children (December).

A synagogue in South Lake Tahoe was vandalized with graffiti of swastikas, the "SS" lightening bolts and the words "Die Jew" (December) (photo available)

A San Francisco Jewish candidate for political office had his campaign posters defaced with swastikas (August) (photo available)

In Marin County, a middle school student told a Jewish fellow student that the Anne Frank story was a lie, and said: "Are you a Jew? They should stick you in a concentration camp" (April).

In Palo Alto, swastikas were discovered in public parks and on public signs in at least three locations. (July).

"Just one act of anti-Semitism can deeply affect an entire community. The message it sends is one of exclusion and discrimination. We must continue to raise awareness at all levels in the community to combat this hatred," said Jonathan Bernstein, ADL Regional Director in response. "Through education of law enforcement, teachers, lawmakers and the community-at-large, we can work to reduce the number of anti-Semitic incidents and other acts of hatred in Northern California and across the country."

The 2004 National Findings

Anti-Semitic incidents included in the Audit comprise physical and verbal assaults, harassment, property defacement, vandalism or other expressions of anti-Jewish sentiment. The 2004 ADL Audit comprises data from 44 states and the District of Columbia, and is compiled using official crime statistics, as well as information provided to ADL's 30 regional offices by victims, law enforcement officers and community leaders. The Audit identifies both criminal and non-criminal acts of harassment and intimidation, including distribution of hate propaganda, threats and slurs.

For reporting purposes, the ADL Audit divides anti-Semitic incidents into two categories: Vandalism, such as property damage, cemetery desecration or anti-Semitic graffiti; and Harassment, including threats and assaults directed at individuals and institutions.

Harassment: Incidents of harassment increased by 27 percent, with 1,177 incidents reported in 2004, compared with the 929 reported in 2003. Harassment accounted for 65 percent of the total incidents reported in 2004.

Vandalism: After reaching historic lows in 2002, the number of incidents of vandalism against Jewish community institutions, synagogues and property continued an upward trend in 2004. Acts of vandalism increased to 644 incidents, compared to the 628 reported in 2003.

In California, a total of 181 incidents of harassment and 56 incidents of vandalism were reported.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.

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