22-04-2025
Antisemitism incidents drop in Arizona in 2024 despite national increase; Assaults rise
Antisemitic incidents across Arizona fell 25% in 2024, despite a slight increase nationally, according to the Anti-Defamation League.
The findings were reported in ADL's Annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents. The nonprofit organization focuses on antisemitism but also tracks other forms of hate.
ADL reported a sharp decrease in incidents of harassment and campus-related antisemitic events in Arizona. But, incidents of assault and vandalism increased, both of which increased nationally, ADL found.
"We are particularly concerned about the rise in antisemitic vandalism and the return of assaults, which speak to a dangerous normalization of hate," said Sarah Kader, the deputy regional director for ADL, in a news release. "Every incident is one too many, and Jewish communities across Arizona deserve to feel safe in their schools, neighborhoods and places of worship."
ADL noted that their methods were "careful to not conflate general criticism of Israel or anti-Israel activism with antisemitism."
Here's what the report said.
According to data compiled by ADL, incidents of antisemitic assault in Arizona increased from 0 in 2023 to 2 in 2024. There was one assault each in 2019 and 2022 and none in 2020 and 2021.
The report said assaults were defined as cases where Jewish people or those perceived to be Jewish were targeted with physical violence accompanied by evidence of antisemitic motives.
Incidents of vandalism in Arizona increased by 18%, matching nationwide trends. There were 26 reported incidents of vandalism in 2024, up from 22 in 2023.
The report also noted that incidents of antisemitic harassment fell from 141 to 42, and campus-related antisemitic incidents decreased by 33%.
'These numbers are a stark reminder that while there are some encouraging signs, like the drop in harassment, antisemitism is far from behind us,' Kader said.
ADL said there was a massive spike in antisemitic incidents following the events of Oct. 7, 2023, and that part of the nationwide increase in total incidents stemmed from the Hamas attack in Israel.
There was a 5% increase in antisemitic incidents nationally, totaling 9,354. The majority of incidents were categorized as harassment or vandalism.
ADL reported a total of 196 assaults, a 21% increase from 2023.
The states with the highest numbers of incidents were California and New York, reporting 1,344 and 1,437, respectively. Their largest cities, Los Angeles and New York City, also reported the most incidents. There were 297 incidents in Los Angeles and 976 in New York City, according to ADL.
More: 'Our world has stopped': Phoenix-area Jewish community grapples with antisemitism, identity
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Antisemitic incidents in Arizona decreased in 2024, report says
