The number of anti-Semitic incidents in California and across the U.S. is up for 2014, according to the Anti-Defamation League. The annual ADL Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents released today reported a total of 912 incidents of assault, vandalism and harassment, compared to 751 incidents reported in 2013, a 21 percent increase.
While this is still a historically low number of reported incidents, the year was marked by the murders at two Jewish institutional buildings in Kansas – the first time a U.S. Jewish institution has been singled out by a lone-wolf style gunman since the 2009 United States Holocaust Memorial Museum shooting.
California also reflected a 29 percent increase in total incidents, from 143 to 184 incidents.
“It is disturbing that the trend of declining anti-Semitic incidents reversed itself this past year, both around the country and in California,” said ADL Pacific Southwest Regional Director Amanda Susskind. “As we see across the country, some of this increase was due to the spate of anti-Semitic incidents during the conflict between Hamas and Israel during the summer of 2014.”
Incidents counted in California and across the country are based on reports made to ADL offices of assaults, vandalism and harassment. “We are troubled by the increasingly insurmountable challenge of monitoring cyberspace, where hate can be anonymous and ubiquitous,” said Susskind.
Examples of incidents reported to the ADL Pacific Southwest Region in response to the Gaza War in 2014, include:
- Phrases such as “Jews=Killers” and “Jews are Killing Innocent Children” were found near the entrance to a Jewish summer camp. (Malibu, July)
- “Stop Doing what Hitler did 2 you” protest sign at rally (Los Angeles, July)
- Zionism is Nazism, with an Israeli flag = Swastika (Los Angeles, July)
- Protestor dressed as Ku Klux Klan member carrying sign, “Stop the Palestinian Holocaust.” (Los Angeles, July)
- Sign at protest rally with swastika “morphing” into Star of David, with slogan “History Takes Shape.” (Los Angeles, July)
- Graffiti of a Star of David = Swastika and the word Gaza (Brentwood, July)
- “Jews Murder Innocent Children” painted on a store (West LA, August)
- Synagogue received hate mail that included: “Zionists are the cancer of the world. Israel is a terrorist group,” with references to ‘greedy looking’ and ‘world domination.’ (South Bay, August)
- Family walking home from Shabbat dinner was taunted by men yelling, “I hope your children die! Just like you are killing children in Gaza.” (Westwood, August)
- Rabbi walking on Pico accosted by a woman yelling, “Jews should be killed like they are killing innocent children in Gaza.” (Beverlywood, August)
Examples of other incidents reported to the ADL Pacific Southwest Region in 2014 include:
- A swastika and the words, “KILL JEWS” spray painted on a private building (Van Nuys, January)
- Cashier at gas station told customer high gas prices were “all because of the Jews.” (North Hollywood, February)
- Star of David with swastika painted over it found in park that houses Holocaust museum and Holocaust memorial. (Los Angeles, February)
- Swastika spray painted on for sale sign in front of Jewish home. (West LA, March)
- “Fu*k Jew” was scratched onto car. (Sherman Oaks, March)
- Stones were thrown through synagogue windows. (Los Angeles, March)
- “Fu*k Jewish” written on walls of business. (Valley Village, April)
- Swastika and “Adolf was right. Kill Jews” painted on Jewish-owned business. (Van Nuys, April)
- Swastika and “Fu*k you Jew” painted on vehicle. (San Fernando Valley, June)
- Mezuzahs removed from the front doors of multiple homes. (Beverly Hills, June)
- “Kike” scrawled on a US Postal Service mailbox. (Beverlywood, June)
- “Fu*k all U and Fu*k Israel we will kill u all fu*king jews” posted on synagogue Facebook page. (Los Angeles, June)
- Landlord called tenants “hooknose” and “kike.” (Palm Desert, July)
- Swastika spray painted on fence of Jewish institution (Los Angeles, July)
- Heil Hitler yelled to family as they walked out of a Jewish restaurant (Tarzana, July)
- Victim punched in face after being asked if Jewish or Muslim and the victim responded, “Jewish.” (Los Angeles, August)
- “Sieg Heil, Heil Hitler’ yelled at group walking home after Shabbat services. (Encino, September)
- Mezuzah torn off college dormitory door. (San Gabriel Valley, October)
- Swastika spray painted on Jewish home’s front porch. (Los Angeles, November)
- Swastika drawn on sign of Jewish-owned day care. (San Fernando Valley, November)
Hate crime statistics consistently show Jews to be the most frequently targeted religious group. According to the 2013 Hate Crime Report released in 2014 by the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations, the vast majority of religion motivated crimes – 74 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:
Annenberg TV (starts at 10:20)
Front page of Los Angeles Daily News
(also appeared in its sister publications: Whittier Daily News, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)