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ADL Notes Anti-Jewish Hate Crimes Remain Vast Majority of Religion-Based Crimes

  • October 15, 2014

The 2013 Hate Crime Report released by the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations today shows that the total number of reported hate crimes declined to the lowest number in 24 years.  Religion-motivated hate crimes also declined 37 percent since the previous year, while the overwhelming majority — 74 percent – continues to be 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 previous findings of State and Federal agencies.

The County report is also consistent with ADL’s Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents for 2013, which also showed a decline in anti-Semitic incidents in California and nationally.  ADL does not break down reported incidents by County.  The 2014 Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents is expected to show an increase since there has been a great deal of anti-Semitic activity during 2014, especially in relation to the Israel-Gaza war during the summer.

“We are pleased to see a decline in reported hate crimes in Los Angeles County for 2013,” said Amanda Susskind, Regional Director of the Pacific Southwest Region of the Anti-Defamation League. “It remains troubling that year after year the overwhelming majority of hate crimes motivated by religion in Los Angeles County, statewide and across the country is against Jews and Jewish institutions.  And unfortunately, a particularly disturbing statistic in this County report notes that 12 of the 42 hate crimes reported against Jews were violent in nature.”

Susskind continued, “We remain concerned that African-Americans continue to be the most frequently targeted victims of hate crimes.  African Americans were targeted in 64 percent of race-motivated hate crimes, although they comprise less than 9 percent of county residents.  And, while crimes against the LGBT community overall decreased, anti-transgender crimes rose significantly and 100 percent of these crimes were violent.”

Incidents of harassment reported to ADL might not be included in the Hate Crime Report if they do not rise to the level of criminal activity.

Many examples of crimes against the Jewish community during 2013 include swastikas or Nazi references that evoke a particularly emotional response in the Jewish community.

Examples of hate crimes reported to the ADL Pacific Southwest Region in 2013 include:

  • Suspects threatened to kill victim due to his religion (San Fernando Valley, March)
  • Swastika spray-painted on Jewish home (Los Angeles, March)
  • “Jew” and “swastika” scratched on to a vehicle (Los Angeles, March)
  • Suspects brandished handgun after yelling anti-Semitic epithets at Jewish individual (Los Angeles, March)
  • Five male suspects approached a Jewish victim, telling him “F—ing Jews! Heil Hitler! Heil Hitler! Heil Hitler!” before punching him in the throat. (Los Angeles, June)
  • Suspect spit on Jewish victim, knocked him to ground and hit and kicked him.  (Los Angeles, June)
  • Swastika reported on door of synagogue.  (San Fernando Valley, June)
  • Graffiti on construction site:  “All we are saying is:  let Jews breathe gas” with a swastika.  (San Fernando Valley, June)
  • Vandalism on a Jewish home included swastika and white power symbols.  (San Fernando Valley, June)
  • Health clinic vandalized with “kill Jews” and swastikas.  (Los Angeles, August)
  • Front door mezuzah vandalized.  (San Fernando Valley, August)
  • Swastikas painted in red marker on gate of Jewish organization thrift shop.  (San Fernando Valley, September)
  • Swastika on Jewish student’s personal property on college campus.  (Los Angeles, November)
  • “We will rise again…Hail (sic) Hitler” scrawled on sidewalk with a swastika.  (Pasadena, November)
  • Car of Jewish victim (among others) vandalized with swastikas and racial epithets.  (Pacific Palisades, November)
  • Three males caught kicking door of synagogue said to staff something to the effect of:  “Fu**in’ Jews.”  (San Gabriel Valley, December.)

 

ADL is the organization that drafted model hate crimes legislation on which hate crimes laws in 45 states, including California, are based, and serves as a resource both to aid and to train law enforcement agencies.

In addition to responding to hate crimes and providing victim assistance after a crime has occurred, ADL works daily to prevent the spread of hate that can lead to such crimes.  ADL’s anti-bias education programs from preschool through college help students:  recognize bias and the harm it inflicts on individuals and society; explore the value of diversity; improve intergroup relations; and combat racism, anti-Semitism and all forms of prejudice and bigotry.

“We feel particularly fortunate to have LA County as a partner in our work to reduce hate crimes and increase public awareness of the impact of these message crimes,” said Susskind. “The LA County Hate Crime Report is a reminder that the important work of ADL is still needed.”

 

See ADL’s Annual Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents.

 

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