In 2018 and 2019, anti-Semitism surged as a mainstream threat to American society, with a significant increase in Pittsburgh synagogue incidents and horrific massacres of Jews. ADL has conducted research on anti-Semitic attitudes since his 1960s. That’s why ADL has launched a new study of Americans’ opinions of Jews to understand this moment.
The findings seemed counterintuitive. Only 11% of Americans harbor widespread anti-Semitic attitudes, making him one of the lowest numbers ever recorded. However, this was not necessarily a contradiction.
First, while Americans were not generally anti-Semitic, the 11% who agreed with hateful rhetoric were thought to represent about 30 million adults. In a country of about 7.5 million Jews, this was a sobering discovery in itself.
What has clearly changed is the willingness of some of the 30 million people to act on these beliefs more than ever before.
Please remember the environment at that time. Politics has become more polarized, hateful speeches on social media have surged, and troubling rhetoric from President Trump’s White House has flew.American itself Anti-Semitism did not intensify, but those already infected with those beliefs seemed increasingly daring to act on them.
Unfortunately, things got worse after that. ADL’s new surveys, conducted in his September and his October last year, revealed that non-Jewish Americans’ views of their Jewish neighbors have deteriorated significantly.
The survey found that 20% of people have widespread anti-Semitic sentiments. This is a dramatic jump from 11% in the last survey and the highest number in 30 years. Today, her staggering 66 million American adults believe he has more than six anti-Semitic tropes on the ADL Index. This is the highest level since 1992 and is much closer to the 1969 highest survey result of 29%.
This suggests a level of mainstreaming not seen in recent decades. It’s reflected in popular culture, the surge in anti-Semitic incidents, and the increasing lack of shame for publicly expressing anti-Semitism — the loss of shame is also new.
Those of us at the forefront expected such a result, but the data are astonishing and remain sobering. There has been an alarming increase in Jewish views and hatred.
We are talking about the vast majority of people who subscribe to the most dangerous ideas about Jews, ideas that have historically led to violence. For example, the idea that Jews control government fueled the horrific anti-Semitic attacks in Pittsburgh and Poway, California, and the hostage crisis a year before him in Collieville, Texas.
Social media is acting as a super spreader to spread this virus. We have shared such toxins to every corner of the world without limit. Meanwhile, elected officials and political candidates from both parties have given mainstream acceptance the idea that Jews are “more loyal” to Israel than to the United States.
Our research found that inflammatory anti-Israel rhetoric also contributed to the increase in anti-Semitic incidents. It should come as no surprise that demonizing the Jewish state leads people to demonize Jews. In fact, our latest survey found that he 39% of respondents believe Israel treats Palestinians “the way the Nazis treated Jews,” at least to some extent. . This is clearly a false and defamatory claim.
And forget the horrifying anti-Semitic statements made last year by several celebrities, including rapper Kanye West, who accused Jews of “dominating” the music industry and exploiting artists for profit. Don’t. When a world-famous artist like Kanye gives a voice to these hateful, anti-Semitic rhetoric, his words are amplified by millions of followers who have previously It examines the belief systems of people infected with anti-Semitism. view, and engage others in the process.
At a time when anti-Semitic incidents are already reaching historic levels, in 2021 the ADL will count the most incidents we have tracked for over 40 years. rice field. It complains that something is wrong with society and that it has reached a dangerous inflection point.
Like all forms of hate, anti-Semitism does not arise from a single source, and there is no magic wand that can be swung to stop it. Leaders from all segments of society need to speak out against it. And above all, leaders must respond to this opportunity by demonstrating their willingness to condemn not only the other side’s role in the rise of anti-Semitism, but also their own.
This study should serve as a wake-up call for the entire nation. A proactive strategy to deal with anti-Semitism is needed, and for many Americans the process must begin with self-reflection on their own communities and political parties. There is no silver bullet for Tackling this complex, age-old hatred requires a multi-pronged approach.
Jonathan A. Greenblatt is the CEO and National Director of the Anti-Defamation League.can happen here“
