Headlines

French Far-Right Leader Bardella Faces Resurfaced Antisemitism Allegations
Ontario Teachers File Rights Complaints Amid Claims of Systemic Antisemitism in Schools
NYC Mayor's Antisemitism Plan Under Scrutiny Amid Wife's Retreat Controversy

🎧 Click Here to Listen & Subscribe

Transcript

You're listening to Antisemitism Watch, I'm Rachel Adler. Today, we're tracking critical developments in the ongoing fight against antisemitism, from allegations against a major European political figure to systemic issues in North American schools and complex responses from city hall.

In France, far-right National Rally president Jordan Bardella is facing renewed scrutiny over alleged antisemitic remarks made in private messages between 2013 and 2015. French investigative outlet Mediapart published screenshots it says were independently authenticated, containing phrases such as 'all the banks are owned by Jews' and that 'the Jew must dominate other peoples.' Bardella has denied the allegations, calling them 'blatant falsehoods' and a destabilization attempt. Notably, Israel's Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli has defended Bardella, stating that what matters is the man he has become in the 15 years since, citing Bardella's stance against antisemitism and his visit to the October 7th attack sites. JTA reported on the controversy, noting Bardella's party achieved historic gains in recent Senate elections. AOL.co.uk also detailed Mediapart's claims of court-certified evidence.

In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a $7.4 million plan to combat antisemitism, including funding for security and prevention programs. However, the plan has drawn criticism, notably for omitting a definition of antisemitism, a move that rescinded his predecessor's policy codifying the IHRA definition. This comes as his wife, Rama Duwaji, reportedly attended an Islamic 'wellness retreat' in Portugal. Organizers of this retreat, according to reporting by the Washington Free Beacon and covered by Townhall, posted calls for Israel's destruction and a 'cleansing' of its 'oppressors.' Townhall and Epicenter NYC have detailed the controversy, highlighting the contrast between the mayor's stated goals and his wife's alleged associations. Mamdani himself has been criticized for past actions regarding antisemitism policy, including removing previous antisemitism plans from city policy on his first day in office. The Washington Examiner also noted Mamdani, alongside others, skirts issues involving Israel or refuses to condemn terrorist apologists, contributing to what it calls an alarming normalization of antisemitism across political discourse.

In Ontario, Canada, a dozen Jewish teachers have filed human rights complaints against four school boards and two teachers’ unions. As reported by the Toronto Sun, they allege systemic discrimination and persistent antisemitism. Their lawyer stated that teachers reporting antisemitism have faced discipline or disbelief, with some wrongly accused of discrimination themselves. The complaints seek damages and call for the boards and unions to adopt transparent policies to combat antisemitism, including endorsing the IHRA working definition. The teachers cite examples like seeing swastikas at work and facing retaliation for speaking out.

On the K-12 level, Wauconda High School in Illinois experienced a security scare after a bomb threat was made on TikTok. Lake and McHenry County Scanner reported that police quickly evacuated the building and conducted a thorough search, confirming no credible threat. The threat was made from a fake account impersonating a recently arrested teacher.

Meanwhile, the University of San Diego was vandalized with antisemitic graffiti, an incident highlighted by Jewish Journal as an example of less widely reported forms of antisemitism.

At the university level, the N.Y. Post reported that Northwestern University is scheduled to host staged readings of the play 'October 7,' based on survivor accounts of the Hamas-led attacks. Student concerns have been raised about the normalization of anti-Israel sentiment on campus, while others see the play as a way to understand the human impact of the atrocities. A similar production is slated for Cornell University.

Internationally, Combat Antisemitism Movement reports on pervasive antisemitism in Houthi-run Yemen, describing it as 'A Way of Life' and quoting the sentiment, 'A Curse Upon the Jews.' The analysis also notes that normalization in the Middle East fails to halt terrorism targeting Jews, referencing a planned attack patterned after 9/11.

In France, widespread student protests over school conditions have escalated, leading to hundreds of arrests and acts of violence, including principals being injured. Fox News reports that authorities are warning of 'urban violence' and attempted arson, with concerns that outside agitators are fueling unrest and that these protests could become a political flashpoint. This unrest coincides with warnings about a global rise in antisemitism.

Turning to policy responses, Pennsylvania state senators held a hearing on September 30th to address antisemitic harassment and classroom bias in public schools. As JNS reported, educators, parents, and Jewish leaders testified about incidents like swastikas on desks and curriculum bias. The North American Values Institute's director noted the hearing could help build an official record to press school districts for change.

In a significant legal development, a U.S. immigration judge ruled that Salah Sarsour, president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, can be deported. According to Al Jazeera, the ruling was partly based on a memo from the Secretary of State stating Sarsour's actions undermine U.S. foreign policy to combat antisemitism worldwide.

Back in New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a plan to combat antisemitism, allocating $7.4 million for security measures and hate prevention, as detailed by Epicenter NYC. A key point of contention, however, is the plan's omission of any definition for antisemitism. This follows Mamdani's decision on his first day in office to cancel executive orders by his predecessor, Eric Adams, one of which had codified the IHRA definition of antisemitism into city policy. Blogs.timesofisrael.com also noted the pledge of millions for security amid an upsurge in incidents.

On a more positive note, a school has become the first college to join Project Shema and the Ruderman Family Foundation program aimed at fighting antisemitism, planning to train future psychologists to confront hatred. JewishRhody.com reported on this initiative.

Finally, regarding rhetoric that meets IHRA's criteria, the Combat Antisemitism Movement reports that CAIR is booking Ana Kasparian as a keynote speaker for two galas. Kasparian has previously stated that Israelis are the 'New Nazis' and used support for Israel as evidence of disloyalty, actions that critics argue fall under IHRA's examples of antisemitism.

As we close, we turn to community response and positive developments. YouTube featured discussions on the vital role of non-Jewish individuals in combating antisemitism, particularly in the wake of the October 7th attacks.

Facebook highlighted Andrew Franks, who received a Pride of Britain Award for his selfless actions addressing the daily threat of antisemitic hatred and the need for security around synagogues and schools.

And Bend the Arc drew parallels between Jewish tradition, like the continuous reading of the Torah, and the essential, often exhausting, work of protecting democracy. They argue that Jewish values call us to engage in this fight with resilience and devotion.

I'm Rachel Adler, thank you for listening to Antisemitism Watch.

Follow Antisemitism Watch in your podcast app so you don’t miss the next update.
This report was generated with AI assistance and may contain inaccuracies. Please verify important details with primary sources.

🎧 Click Here to Listen & Subscribe

Sources:
- jewishinsider.com: https://jewishinsider.com/2026/10/montgomery-county-public-schools-superintendent-admits-missteps-antisemitism/
- lakemchenryscanner.com: https://www.lakemchenryscanner.com/2026/10/01/bomb-threat-made-on-tiktok-toward-wauconda-high-school-prompts-heavy-police-activity-search-of-building/
- torontosun.com: https://torontosun.com/news/local-news/jewish-teachers-file-human-rights-complaints-antisemitism-hate
- jewishjournal.com: https://jewishjournal.com/community/392764/the-antisemitism-you-wont-hear-about-in-the-news/
- nypost.com: https://nypost.com/2026/10/01/us-news/multiple-us-colleges-with-history-of-anti-israel-activism-to-stage-play-featuring-oct-7-survivor-testimony/
- religionnews.com: https://religionnews.com/2026/10/01/as-jewish-college-students-look-south-some-discover-a-long-but-overlooked-history/
- jta.org: https://www.jta.org/2026/09/30/global/french-far-right-leader-accused-of-antisemitism-defended-by-israeli-ministe
- townhall.com: https://townhall.com/news/amy-curtis/2026/10/01/rama-duwaji-at-anti-israel-retreat-n2683893
- aol.co.uk: https://www.aol.co.uk/articles/france-mediapart-publishes-antisemitic-screenshots-181800000.html
- washingtonexaminer.com: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/patriotism-unity/4750439/antisemitism-is-being-normalized-on-both-sides-youth-morally-disastrous/
- combatantisemitism.org: https://combatantisemitism.org/studies-reports/cair-books-ana-kasparian-who-called-israelis-the-new-nazis-as-keynote-speaker-for-two-galas/
- blogs.timesofisrael.com: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/mamdanis-flawed-plan-to-combat-antisemitism/
- jns.org: https://www.jns.org/news/u-s-news/pennsylvania-state-lawmakers-hold-hearing-on-jew-hatred-in-public-schools
- aljazeera.com: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/30/us-judge-rules-wisconsin-mosque-leader-salah-sarsour-can-be-deported
- epicenter-nyc.com: https://epicenter-nyc.com/zohran-mamdani-antisemitism-plan/
- jewishrhody.com: https://www.jewishrhody.com/stories/uss-roosevelt-marines-set-to-deploy-to-mid-east-ahead-of-midterm-elections-us-official-to-post,178580
- combatantisemitism.org: https://combatantisemitism.org/special-features/analysis-middle-east-normalization-isnt-enough-to-stop-terrorism-against-jews/
- foxnews.com: https://www.foxnews.com/world/france-rocked-student-riots-hundreds-arrested-violence-spreads-nationwide
- youtube.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiuCbAlfwuA
- facebook.com: https://www.facebook.com/ManchesterEveningNews/posts/andrew-franks-has-been-honoured-with-a-pride-of-britain-award-for-his-selfless-a/1604376521724707/
- bendthearc.us: https://www.bendthearc.us/simchat_torah_the_unending_work_of_democracy_times_of_israel