Antisemitism Watch

San Diego prosecutors reveal synagogue was planned target in mosque attack plot
ADL report: Campus antisemitism down, but K-12 incidents remain high
Michigan AG's safety remarks draw criticism; political figures weigh in on antisemitism

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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

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You're listening to Antisemitism Watch, I'm Rachel Adler.

New details emerged this week in a disturbing planned attack in San Diego, where prosecutors revealed that two teenage gunmen who attacked a mosque had also plotted to target a local synagogue and Black students at a local high school. Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O'Neill stated that the shooters' actions were "ideologically-motivated." A 17-year-old girl has been indicted for allegedly helping disseminate the gunmen's hate-filled manifesto. According to NBC San Diego, San Diego police confirmed the district attorney's statements regarding the intended targets, though they declined to provide further details. Rabbi Barney Kasdan of the Kehilat Ariel Messianic Synagogue, a potential target, told NBC San Diego that he was not surprised the synagogue was on the shooters' radar due to its proximity to the mosque. He expressed confidence in his synagogue's security protocols, which include visible armed guards at major events.

In a separate incident, Howard County police are investigating swastika graffiti found at the entrance to the bus loop at Phelps Luck Elementary School. According to Principal Dr. Shawna Holden, camera footage indicated the graffiti was present on or before August 7, 2026. The vandalism has since been removed.

Turning to campus and K-12 education, a new report from the Anti-Defamation League indicates a stark divergence in antisemitic incidents. While antisemitic incidents on college campuses dropped sharply in 2025, reported cases in non-Jewish K-12 schools remained largely unchanged, with 825 incidents in 2025 compared to 860 in 2024. Shira Goodman of the ADL described the K-12 space as a "hotspot." Incidents beyond hate symbols include a February 2024 case at El Camino Real High School in Los Angeles, where a student alleged being verbally and physically assaulted with antisemitic slurs. At Walt Whitman High School in Maryland, Jewish students reported being named in alleged antisemitic threats. Some advocates, like Mark Meckler of Convention of States Action, argue the persistent numbers reflect a wider problem, calling it "endemic" in elementary, secondary, and higher education. Federal agencies are increasing scrutiny, with the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights opening investigations in Baltimore City, Florida's Bay County School District, and the New York City Department of Education. The Justice Department also reached a settlement with the Concord Carlisle Regional School District in Massachusetts requiring policy updates and training. The School District of Philadelphia is also facing a congressional investigation and an Education Department review over its handling of reported incidents. Additionally, reporting indicates instances of antisemitism within higher education unions, according to ADL CCAE.

In politics and media, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who is Jewish, has drawn criticism for remarks reportedly urging Jewish voters to prioritize "collective survival and saving humanity" over their own safety. An author cited in the reporting called these remarks a "new low" and questioned Nessel's analogy to Queen Esther, suggesting it misrepresents the biblical figure's actions which aimed at her people's survival. This comes as other figures are noted for their stances on antisemitism. Representative Randy Fine claimed that Republicans have dealt with antisemitism by "crush[ing] and expell[ing] our lunatics," contrasting this with Democrats who he said "embrace and elevate theirs," citing examples like Tucker Carlson and Hasan Piker. Meanwhile, actor Mark Ruffalo faces accusations of using antisemitic tropes while criticizing the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, earning support from 170 Jewish figures. JD Vance was reportedly confronted in a closed-door Q&A about MAGA allies who "platform anti-Semites," with Tucker Carlson framed as a public concern. In broader political commentary, speakers at a GOP Jewish confab warned about the implications of far-left DSA candidates winning office, stating that "the people in charge would not be moderate Democrats... It would be the Squad. It would be the DSA." In media disputes, DJ Vlad has accused Drink Champs host N.O.R.E. of pressuring him to drink and has criticized the podcast's handling of vulnerable guests, citing Kanye West's controversial 2022 appearance which included antisemitic remarks and false statements about George Floyd's death, for which N.O.R.E. later apologized. A panel discussion on 'Fox News @ Night' also featured analysis of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's criticism of the Democratic Party's stance on antisemitism.

Internationally, the National Association of Christian Lawmakers, or NACL, has formally proposed that the United States create "lawful, secure and appropriately expedited pathways" for Jewish Canadians facing persecution and rising antisemitism to enter the U.S. as refugees. This proposal was followed by a retweet from former President Donald Trump on Truth Social, marking his first acknowledgment of Jewish Canadians needing assistance. Rabbi Jarred Grover stated that antisemitism is "off the charts" in Canada, estimating around 7,000 incidents. He criticized Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's government for inaction and the perceived failure of a promised task force to tackle antisemitism.

As Jewish communities prepare for Rosh Hashanah, new data highlights widespread fear. An American Jewish Committee report indicates that 91% of American Jews feel less safe as Jewish people in the United States due to recent violent attacks, and 55% have altered their behavior out of safety concerns. The report details personal decisions about wearing religious symbols, attending Jewish events, or publicly identifying as Jewish, driven by fears of being visibly Jewish or speaking openly about Israel. The AJC emphasizes that while security measures are necessary, the response must also include living more confidently and openly as Jews, celebrating traditions, and strengthening bonds with neighbors of all backgrounds.

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:
- nbcsandiego.com: https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/san-diego-mosque-attackers-targeted-synagogue-school-north-carolina-prosecutors-say/4068079/
- wbaltv.com: https://www.wbaltv.com/article/howard-county-phelps-luck-elementary-swastika-graffiti/73584022
- cbn.com: https://cbn.com/news/us/antisemitic-incidents-persist-k-12-schools-despite-college-campus-decline
- youtube.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5zq8JOE0jA
- washingtontimes.com: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/sep/1/mark-ruffalo-faces-antisemitism-claims-wins-backing-170-jewish/
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- ejewishphilanthropy.com: https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/memo-to-dana-nessel-jewish-safety-and-jewish-survival-are-sacrosanct/
- washingtonexaminer.com: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/house/4707854/randy-fine-antisemitism-gop-democrats/
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- junonews.com: https://www.junonews.com/p/op-ed-when-canadas-jews-start-looking
- AJC: https://www.ajc.org/news/this-rosh-hashanah-choose-courage-over-fear