Antisemitism Watch

Manchester Synagogue Attack Memorial Highlights Lingering Fear
Germany's AfD Poised for Power Amid Concerns Over Nationalist, Coded Antisemitic Rhetoric
Missouri's New Campus Antisemitism Law Sparks Free Speech Debate

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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 look at escalating concerns for Jewish communities worldwide, from memorials for past attacks to the political ascendant of parties with concerning rhetoric, and the ongoing challenges on college campuses.

We begin with a somber commemoration in Manchester, where hundreds gathered at the Heaton Park Synagogue on Monday to remember Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby, victims of the October 2, 2025 jihadist attack on the synagogue. According to the BBC, survivors and relatives spoke at the service. Rabbi Daniel Walker, who helped confront the attacker, stated that the Jewish community feels less safe now than immediately after the assault, according to the BBC, citing a lack of action to 'deal with core problems.' Messages of support were sent by King Charles and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who recalled a visit to the synagogue and sent love and support to the community.

Internationally, Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany, or AfD, party is poised for a potential historic victory in Saxony-Anhalt, with polls showing them with over 40% support ahead of the September 6th election, according to JTA. This would mark the first far-right state government in Germany since World War II. Political science professor Lars Rensmann notes that while the AfD does not often use overtly antisemitic rhetoric, it employs coded language referencing 'globalist, cosmopolitan elites and shadowy financial powers' as part of a worldview that targets national identity. The party manifesto also calls for moving past Germany's 'guilt complex' over the Holocaust, with one regional leader calling the Holocaust Memorial a 'monument of shame.' Rensmann states the party uses 'antisemitic tropes, antisemitic ideas, antisemitism as part of a larger worldview.' Meanwhile, in France and London, serious antisemitism cases are moving through the judicial system. Judicial action is being taken in response to antisemitic threats in France and ambulance arson in London, highlighting significant incidents in Europe, according to reporting reviewed for this episode.

As Jewish students return to campuses across the country this fall, concerns about antisemitism persist. At UC Berkeley, a lawsuit settlement reached in March 2026 has enhanced the university's nondiscrimination policies, expanded Jewish and Israeli studies, and continued antisemitism education, according to reporting on the settlement. The author of one piece, reflecting on her own experience as a student, advises Jewish students to recognize antisemitism, know their rights, and hold universities accountable, while also emphasizing the importance of building Jewish community and life beyond incidents. Globally, a 98-year-old Holocaust survivor, Nate Leipciger, has sent a message to Jewish students through the International March of the Living initiative. Leipciger, who survived Auschwitz-Birkenau, urges students to embrace their identity and stand together against antisemitism. He distinguishes between criticism of the Israeli government and discrimination against Jewish students due to their identity or connection to Israel. This message is being distributed globally amid heightened concerns following the October 7th Hamas attack and ensuing war in Gaza, with Jewish students reporting harassment and hostility.

In the political arena, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene was the only Republican who refused to vote for a bill condemning antisemitism, according to reporting on the vote. Fashion designer John Galliano has cancelled a planned major exhibition at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, scheduled for May 2027. This decision followed criticism over his past antisemitic and racist remarks made in 2011, which led to his dismissal from Dior. Galliano stated he remains 'fully accountable for the pain caused by my words' and that an exhibition would be painful for some. Critics, including New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin and ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, had voiced opposition, with Greenblatt calling the exhibition 'misguided' at a time of 'crisis levels' of antisemitism. The exhibition's timing, coinciding with Yom HaShoah, also drew concern. Meanwhile, actor Mark Ruffalo is at the center of a controversy regarding his criticism of the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger. Ruffalo accused the Ellison family, whose son David Ellison heads Skydance Media which has ties to Oracle and military contracts with Israel, of being complicit in what he termed 'genocide' against Palestinians. A Paramount spokesperson accused Ruffalo of invoking 'antisemitic tropes.' The Simon Wiesenthal Center and Creative Community for Peace condemned his comments, while an industry group noted it was 'unacceptable to introduce Jews, antizionism, or antisemitism into conversations about business transactions.' Ruffalo defended himself, stating criticism of Israeli actions or military contracts is not criticism of Jewish people. Separately, the vice president expressed support for Israel and the Jewish community while confronting a skeptical crowd, and reporting also probes JD Vance's political strategy concerning skeptical Jewish voters, linking antisemitism to his brand of politics.

In Missouri, a new law that went into effect this week requires public schools and universities to define antisemitic behavior in their codes of conduct and report such cases to state officials. However, critics, including attorney Bill Freivogel and Brenda Talent, have raised concerns about the law's potential impact on free speech. Freivogel notes ambiguity in distinguishing criticism of Israel from antisemitism, and points to an exchange where the law's sponsor gave a response that illustrated confusion for school officials. While the law includes a provision against diminishing First Amendment rights, critics worry that institutions will interpret it in ways that chill speech or go too far. Attorney Javad Khazaeli warns of 'absurd outcomes' where Jewish students criticizing Israel could be deemed antisemitic, potentially chilling speech.

Finally, a strong show of support for actor Mark Ruffalo comes from over 170 Jewish figures in the entertainment industry and beyond. As reported, these individuals have signed an open letter defending Ruffalo against accusations of antisemitism, calling the charges 'spurious' and part of a 'smear campaign.' The letter argues that Ruffalo's criticism of the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger and its ties to the Ellison family's support for Israel amid the Gaza conflict is not antisemitic. Signatories, including Joel Coen, Ilana Glazer, and Tony Kushner, stated that 'pointing out the crucial connections between what is happening in Gaza and what is happening in Hollywood is the exact opposite of antisemitism. It is, for us, the very essence of Jewish ethical duty.' Actress Hannah Einbinder, who helped lead the effort, stated that calling Ruffalo antisemitic is 'absurd' and a 'dangerous way to shut down legitimate criticism,' emphasizing his consistent opposition to antisemitism while supporting Palestinian rights.

We'll be back tomorrow with more on Antisemitism Watch. I'm Rachel Adler.

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

📚 Sources

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