Antisemitism Watch

NYC Mayor's Denunciations Questioned Amid Rising Antisemitism; Met Gala Exhibit Canceled Over Designer's Remarks
Memorial for Heaton Park Synagogue Attack Victims Held Amid Concerns Over Safety and Rising Antisemitism
Irish Group to Moderate Online Hate Using IHRA Definition; Oklahoma Governor Offers Refuge to Jewish Families

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Antisemitism Watch

Antisemitism Watch is a daily monitoring and analysis program tracking antisemitism worldwide — incidents, rhetoric, policy, and institutional responses — r

📝 Transcript

You're listening to Antisemitism Watch, I'm Rachel Adler. Today, we examine how rising antisemitism impacts political discourse, cultural institutions, and everyday community life, alongside efforts to combat it.

In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani's condemnation of a recent antisemitic attack on the Central Synagogue is being met with skepticism, according to the Algemeiner. Citing New York Police Department figures showing Jewish individuals targeted in 70 percent of hate crimes in July, the outlet suggests that such rhetoric from politicians feels hollow amid a marked rise in antisemitic incidents since Mamdani took office. This criticism extends to other Democratic leaders, with the Algemeiner arguing that the establishment's refusal to disassociate from antisemitic elements renders their vows of concern insincere.

Meanwhile, in Michigan, U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed issued a second apology for past comments that linked a car-ramming attack at Temple Israel to Israel’s war in Lebanon, stating, "Hurt people hurt people." Speaking to Michigan Jewish Democrats, El-Sayed sought to earn their trust, acknowledging that his words were perceived as justifying the attack, which he did not intend. On the Republican side, candidate Peter Oberacker faces scrutiny over a ten-year-old Facebook post resurfacing, which appeared to "salute" his grandfather who fought for Nazi Germany and wore a Nazi insignia. His opponent, Josh Riley, called the post a "betrayal of our Jewish community."

In the cultural sphere, the Metropolitan Museum of Art canceled an upcoming exhibition and Met Gala honoring designer John Galliano following backlash over his past antisemitic remarks, including an incident in 2011 where he made derogatory comments referencing Hitler and the Holocaust. Galliano withdrew from the event, and the museum agreed to cancel the exhibition.

Elsewhere, Democratic congressional nominee Brad Lander was reportedly confronted at a protest with antisemitic insults, an incident decried by the Israeli consul general as evidence of Jew-hatred that "does not distinguish between Jews based on their political views." Separately, reporting suggests the Trump administration's Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism on university campuses may have served as a pretext for financial gain. Leaders at the Republican Jewish Coalition's Annual Leadership Summit, however, condemned rising antisemitism and reaffirmed support for Israel, praising former President Trump's administration for his policies benefiting the Jewish community.

In Manchester, England, approximately 800 people gathered for a memorial service marking the anniversary of last year's attack on the Heaton Park Synagogue. The event honored victims Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, who were killed defending the synagogue. Attendees included Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and Communities Secretary Angela Rayner, with a message from King Charles. Rabbi Daniel Walker told attendees that the Jewish community feels less safe now than immediately after the attack, citing rising antisemitism and a perceived lack of action to address core problems. Sherelle Dresner, representing Melvin Cravitz's family, shared that she had received antisemitic abuse. The Chief Rabbi spoke of how hateful thoughts translate into hate speech, and then into hate crime.

The Jewish Representative Council of Ireland, or JRCI, has been granted "trusted flagger" status under the EU's Digital Services Act. As reported by The Ditch, this designation allows JRCI to expedite content moderation notices to major online platforms. The JRCI stated it will internally classify material denying Jewish self-determination, such as claims that Israel's existence is racist, as antisemitic, utilizing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, or IHRA, definition. While regulators raised concerns about the IHRA definition not being a legal standard under Irish or EU law, the JRCI plans to use it internally to help frame content potentially harmful or antisemitic.

J Street has warned that the proposed bill H.R. 4795 runs the risk of inflaming antisemitism on college campuses. Separately, broader reporting indicates a crisis in schools involving "terrifying acts of Jew hatred, historic antisemitism in support of Nazism, terrorism in violence, and bullying on campus and in classrooms."

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has offered to "proudly welcome" Jewish families lawfully coming to the United States seeking safety and opportunity, in a letter to President Trump. The Governor cited a disturbing surge in antisemitism, particularly noting concerns in Canada since the October 7th Hamas massacre in Israel. He emphasized that Oklahoma is prepared to receive new Jewish neighbors.

The security reality for Jewish institutions remains challenging in 2026. Antisemitism continues at extremely high levels, posing threats that range from harassment and vandalism to arson, vehicle attacks, active assailants, and terrorism. Experts recommend preparedness models such as "Deter. Detect. Delay. Defend.," emphasizing that basic security measures like working locks and cameras, alongside clear emergency plans, are vital components in protecting communal spaces.

An item from the Israel Today Telegram channel claims the UN is providing ten times more money to Palestinians than to needy populations elsewhere, suggesting this disparity is politically motivated. The channel also stated, "It pays to have the Jews as your enemies."

In response to increased antisemitism and negative dating app experiences following October 7th, many Jewish individuals are increasingly seeking partners exclusively within the Jewish community. This trend, described as "October 8th endogamy," is also affecting LGBTQ+ singles who report facing exclusionary rhetoric in some queer spaces. Additionally, an "evening of solidarity" is being promoted to counter antisemitism, citing recent antisemitic acts in Texas.

The fight against antisemitism requires vigilance across many fronts, from policy halls to online spaces and within our communities. I'm Rachel Adler, thank you for listening to Antisemitism Watch.

This report was generated with AI assistance and may contain inaccuracies. Please verify important details with primary sources.

📚 Sources

Sources:
- bbc.co.uk: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2z4wlxj04o
- jstreet.org: https://jstreet.org/press-releases/j-street-statement-opposing-h-r-4795/
- instagram.com: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DctkK6JFIJQ/
- Algemeiner: https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/08/31/on-antisemitism-many-democrats-mask-damaging-policies-empty-rhetoric/
- foxnews.com: https://www.foxnews.com/video/6404364409112
- jta.org: https://www.jta.org/2026/08/31/politics/all-of-us-have-to-bring-down-violence-wherever-we-see-it-el-sayed-says-following-address-to-jewish-democrats
- hollywoodreporter.com: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/met-gala-john-galliano-out-1236685642/
- stljewishlight.org: https://stljewishlight.org/news/news-local/st-louis-native-brad-lander-accused-israel-of-genocide-protesters-targeted-him-as-a-zionist-anyway/
- hollywoodreporter.com: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/style/galliano-met-gala-fiasco-anna-wintour-1236685721/
- dailygazette.com: https://www.dailygazette.com/oberacker-post-saluting-nazi-resurfaces-as-race-heats-up/article_64e4ac6e-ff6f-4913-9437-a767124fa3c8.html
- thehill.com: https://thehill.com/tag/task-force-to-combat-anti-semitism/
- thehill.com: https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/6061568-title-vi-investigations-college-funding/
- jpost.com: https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-907152
- ontheditch.com: https://www.ontheditch.com/jewish-representative-council-of-ireland-told-media-regulator/
- Israel Today - Telegram Channel: https://t.me/ILtoday/19969
- vinnews.com: https://vinnews.com/2026/08/31/oklahoma-governor-tells-trump-state-will-welcome-jewish-families-fleeing-antisemitism-in-canada/
- collive.com: https://collive.com/back-to-shul-back-to-school-the-2026-security-reality-check/
- thecjn.ca: https://thecjn.ca/opinion/intermarriage-angst-less-relevant-post-oct-7/
- facebook.com: https://www.facebook.com/ChristiansUnitedforIsrael/posts/take-a-stand-against-antisemitism-by-attending-this-evening-of-solidarity-with-t/1504857645013799/