Posted in .

ADL AUDIT: ANTI-SEMITIC INCIDENTS ON THE RISE NATIONALLY; SECOND HIGHEST LEVELS IN CALIFORNIA

  • June 22, 2016

Anti-Semitic incidents on American college campuses nearly doubled;

Anti-Semitic assaults up more than 50%

According to the Anti-Defamation League’s annual Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents issued today, there were 941 incidents in the U.S. in 2015, an increase of about 3 percent from the 912 incidents recorded in 2014.  Among the incidents reported, those that occurred at colleges and universities nearly doubled, and the number of assaults rose more than 50 percent.

California recorded the second highest number of incidents in the country, with a slight decline from 184 reported incidents in 2014 to 175 in 2015.

“Just like the rest of the country, our local campuses were also not immune to anti-Semitic incidents,” said ADL Pacific Southwest Regional Director Amanda Susskind.  “We also showed a return to what we call ‘old-fashioned’ anti-Semitism, with many reports of heinous remarks about Jews – both verbally and in writing.”

During spring 2015, the spotlight was on UCLA after a student government candidate was questioned about her ability to represent students’ interests in light of her Jewish identity and affiliation with the Jewish community. This followed a series of problems raised on the UCLA campus relating to the debate about the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.  “The good news is the UCLA community, from the Chancellor down, condemned these actions and welcomed ADL as a partner on campus,” said Susskind.  Since last year, ADL provided five anti-bias trainings on the UCLA campus.

Selected Incidents in 2015:  Anti-Semitic Acts on Campus

The ADL Audit reported a dramatic increase in anti-Semitic incidents on campus in 2015.  A total of 90 incidents were reported on 60 college campuses, compared with 47 such incidents reported on 43 campuses in 2014.

The following is a list of selected anti-Jewish incidents that took place around campuses in the Pacific Southwest Region in 2015:

  • Jewish college student found swastikas and picture of Hitler on white board in his apartment (Riverside, October)
  • Yik Yak post after tabling by Hillel at Pierce College included references to Zionist pigs and “Someone call ISIS for pest management.”  (San Fernando Valley, November)
  • Yik Yak post after a protest at one of the Claremont Colleges included, “All this POC hate is making people lose sight of the real enemy, Jews” and “Mein Fuhrer, heat the oven.” (Claremont, November)
  • Male student made comments to female Jewish student about her hair and nose and stated he wanted to “f-cking kill all you people.”  (San Gabriel Valley, December)

f all the JewsSelected Incidents in 2015: Anti-Jewish Vandalism

The ADL Audit recorded 377 cases of anti-Semitic vandalism in 2015, up slightly from 363 in 2014. In California, there were 69 reports of vandalism, up from 54 in 2014. Vandalism incidents are individually evaluated by ADL and are categorized as anti-Semitic based on the presence of anti-Semitic symbols or language; the identity of the perpetrator(s), if known; and the target of the vandalism and its proximity to Jewish homes, communities and institutions.

The 2015 Audit includes in its totals swastikas and hate symbols that targeted Jewish property or communal institutions. Swastikas targeting other minorities or those used out of context simply for shock value were not counted.

The following is a list of selected instances of anti-Semitic vandalism in ADL’s Pacific Southwest Region in 2015:

  • Swastika and “f-ck Jews” written on Jewish residence.  (Los Angeles, February)
  • “To the Jews Burn in Hell” written on private building.  (Hollywood, February)
  • Swastika written on Jewish student’s sports jersey.  (South Bay, April)
  • “F-ck all Jews in the f-cking ass” written on construction site.  (Beverly Hills, June)
  • “No Jews” and swastika spray painted on sidewalk.  (Pico-Robertson, June)
  • Swastika painted on walkway of Jewish resident’s mobile home.  (Riverside County, June)
  • “Kill Jewish boys and girls” and swastika drawn on wall at entrance to a Jewish school.  (Los Angeles, July)

Selected Incidents in 2015: Anti- Jewish Harassment, Threats and Events

The ADL Audit recorded 508 cases of anti-Semitic harassment in 2015, down slightly from 513 in 2014. Incidents included verbal attacks and slurs against Jewish individuals (or individuals perceived to be Jewish); anti-Semitism conveyed in written or electronic communications, including anti-Semitic cyberbullying; and anti-Semitic speeches, picketing or events. In California, 105 harassment incidents were reported, down from 127 in 2014.

The following is a list of selected instances of anti-Semitic harassment in ADL’s Pacific Southwest Region in 2015:

  • Reports of anti-Semitic taunts to Jewish students at a middle school including, “Even pizzas don’t cry when you put them in the oven.”  (West Los Angeles, April)
  • On a public bus, rider said to two Jewish passengers:  “Jews are the scourge of the earth” and all Jews are “rats and vermin” and “Israel shouldn’t exist.” (Santa Monica, May)
  • Man witnessed yelling, “Wish all Jews were dead” and “Jews are dirty liars and thieves.”  (Santa Monica, June)
  • Anti-Semitic flyer left on car with statements including “dirty Jew,” “F-ck the State of Israel” and “Adolph Hitler was right.”  (Whittier, July)
  • Neighbor called “lying Kike.”  (Culver City, September)
  • Driver yelled at pedestrian, “You f-cking Jew.  I’m going to kill you.”  (Antelope Valley, September)
  • Attorney said to his client, “You’re a Jew and garbage.”  (Beverly Hills, December)
  • Harassing phone messages on voice mail:  “Gay mother f-cker stupid Jew.”  (South LA, December)

Hate crime statistics consistently show Jews to be the most frequently targeted religious group. According to the 2014 Hate Crime Report released in 2015 by the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations, the vast majority of religion motivated crimes – 76 percent – are perpetrated against Jews and Jewish institutions. The County’s conclusion that anti-Jewish hate crimes comprise the vast majority of religion-motivated hate crimes is consistent with findings of State and Federal agencies.

About the ADL Audit

The Audit identifies both criminal and non-criminal acts of harassment and intimidation, including distribution of hate propaganda, threats and slurs.  Compiled using information provided by victims, law enforcement and community leaders and evaluated by ADL’s professional staff, the Audit provides an annual snapshot of one specific aspect of a nationwide problem while identifying possible trends or changes in the types of activity reported. This information assists ADL in developing and enhancing its programs to counter and prevent the spread of anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry.

See also:
National Press Release

 

In the News:
LA Daily News
Jewish Journal
LA Times
KPCC