The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) released a report revealing a significant surge in antisemitic incidents across New England in 2023. According to the report titled “Audit of Antisemitic Incidents 2023,” there was a staggering 205% increase in such incidents compared to the previous year.
The report highlighted a total of 623 antisemitic occurrences, including assaults, harassment, and vandalism, throughout the region, encompassing Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Notably, Massachusetts recorded the highest number of incidents, with 440 reported cases, marking a 189% increase from 2022.
Incidents of antisemitic vandalism increased by 70%, while incidents of harassment skyrocketed by 444%, with assaults doubling to eight cases in 2023. Massachusetts ranked fifth among states with the highest number of antisemitic incidents, following Florida, New Jersey, New York, and California.
The report also identified various antisemitic incidents, such as the discovery of a swastika at a West Natick MBTA station, threats against a synagogue in Westborough posted on social media, and a bomb threat hoax targeting a synagogue in Brookline.
Rabbi Ron Fish, interim regional director of ADL New England, expressed alarm at the surge in antisemitic incidents, emphasizing the urgent need for collective action to combat hate. He emphasized that antisemitism is not just a Jewish problem but a societal issue that requires unified efforts to address it.
Additionally, the report noted an increase in white supremacist propaganda incidents in 2023 and a surge in antisemitic incidents following the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel. The ADL also highlighted a rise in anti-Zionist or anti-Israel incidents since October 7, with many incidents occurring in public spaces and on college campuses.
The findings of the ADL report align with a similar increase in anti-Muslim hate incidents reported by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). Both organizations emphasized the importance of addressing hate and bigotry to foster a more inclusive society.
