Antisemitism Watch

Ventura Police Investigate Antisemitic Vandalism at Religious Sites as Hate Crimes
New Bipartisan Caucus Launched to Combat Antisemitism on College Campuses
NYC Speaker Menin Highlights Synagogue Protection Law Amid Rising 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. Today we're tracking acts of vandalism and hate rhetoric, the launch of a new bipartisan effort on college campuses, and significant policy developments both here and abroad.

We begin with a disturbing act of vandalism in Ventura, California, where police are investigating multiple incidents as hate crimes. Swastikas and other hateful imagery, including messages like 'Death to Jews' and 'They want to replace you,' were discovered on September 4th and 6th at religious sites and a public park. According to the Ventura Police Department, officials noted the timing is particularly concerning with Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur approaching. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, CAIR-LA, has condemned the vandalism.

In politics, the recent Democratic mayoral primary in Providence, Rhode Island, became a flashpoint over Israel policy and local antisemitic incidents. Campaign signs for incumbent Mayor Brett Smiley, who converted to Judaism, were defaced with antisemitic drawings, including devil horns and a Hitler mustache. Mayor Smiley stated the vandalism sent a message that Jews were unwelcome. His challenger, state Rep. David Morales, condemned the attacks. Morales ultimately defeated Smiley in the primary, according to VINnews.

Elsewhere in the political and media landscape, Judicial Watch founder Larry Klayman has filed a civil lawsuit against streamer Hasan Piker. The suit, filed in Florida, alleges antisemitism and incitement to violence, citing Piker's statements that 'Hamas is a thousand times better' than Israel and that Jews should 'go back to Auschwitz.' According to The National News Desk, Klayman claims Piker's remarks constitute a 'fatwa' intended to harm and kill. Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt noted that Piker has a 'long track record of commending and excusing terrorism.'

Internationally, a proposed anti-Semitism bill in Italy is drawing criticism from UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese and rights advocates. Protesters in Rome demonstrated on Wednesday, arguing that the bill, which could adopt the IHRA working definition of antisemitism, risks silencing criticism of Israel. Albanese stated that legislation equating criticism of a state with antisemitism is problematic and could lead to Jewish individuals worldwide being seen as emissaries of Israel. This contrasts with the strong backing the bill has received from Italy's Union of Italian Jewish Communities, UCEI.

On the campus front, Representatives Elise Stefanik and Josh Gottheimer have launched the bipartisan Combating Antisemitism on College Campuses Caucus. According to the Office of Representative Josh Gottheimer, the caucus aims to provide a coordinated legislative approach to oversee university responses to antisemitism, pressuring institutions to enforce their policies and spotlighting those addressing the issue effectively. This initiative follows a significant reported drop in antisemitic incidents on U.S. college campuses in 2025, according to an ADL audit cited by the Los Angeles Times.

In Australia, the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has concluded its public hearings. The Algemeiner reports that Jewish individuals shared harrowing testimony detailing their experiences since the October 7th massacre and the December 14th, 2025 terror attack. The commission investigated what went wrong in Australian society and noted government shifts regarding support for Israel.

Back in New York City, Council Speaker Julie Menin is highlighting her synagogue-protection law as Jewish New Yorkers prepare for the High Holidays amidst rising antisemitism. Recent NYPD data indicates an 8.5% increase in anti-Jewish incidents in early 2026, with Jewish victims accounting for 57% of reported hate crimes, according to The Forward. Menin's legislation seeks to establish buffer zones for protests outside houses of worship, a measure that will be tested as the UN General Assembly convenes. Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration is expected to release a citywide strategy to combat antisemitism.

A coalition of North American Jewish nonprofit groups, including the Jewish Federations of North America, the ADL, and the American Jewish Committee, announced a new 'Jewish Students’ Bill of Rights' on Wednesday. The document outlines six core principles for K-12 schools, aiming to ensure Jewish students can identify antisemitism, have clear reporting processes, receive accurate education, have religious observances respected, and have their civil rights protected. JFNA President and CEO Eric Fingerhut stated, 'No child should have to choose between their education and their identity.'

An analysis suggests that left-wing political forces in Europe are increasingly leveraging anti-Israel sentiment for votes, potentially fueling antisemitism. This trend is seen as embracing what the reporting calls 'new antisemitism,' driven by ignorance and double standards, such as critiques leveled against Israel's actions without acknowledging broader contexts or the actions of groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. The pursuit of left-wing votes and concerns about growing Muslim populations are cited as factors.

The normalization of antisemitic language online remains a concern. An author writing for Algemeiner observes that terms like 'Zionazi' and the collective blaming of all Jews for Israel's actions have become commonplace. Many individuals expressing these views express surprise when labeled antisemitic, indicating a comfort with repeating ideas that once crossed a clear social boundary against overt hatred of Jews. This trend has become more pronounced following the October 7th attacks.

Finally, Congressman Josh Gottheimer announced that $1.7 million in Fiscal Year 2025 Nonprofit Security Grant Program funding has been secured for eight North Jersey non-profit organizations, including synagogues and faith-based schools. This federal funding, administered by FEMA, provides resources for physical security upgrades and training, as noted by the Congressman. According to FBI data, anti-Jewish hate crimes account for nearly two-thirds of all religion-based hate crimes nationwide.

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

📚 Sources

Sources:
- keyt.com: https://keyt.com/news/ventura-county/2026/09/10/antisemitic-messages-at-ventura-places-of-worship-under-investigation-as-hate-crimes/
- cair.com: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-la-condemns-antisemitic-neo-nazi-vandalism-targeting-ventura-synagogue-and-church-calls-for-hate-crime-probe/
- hoodline.com: https://hoodline.com/2026/09/stefanik-and-gottheimer-launch-campus-antisemitism-caucus-at-vanderbilt/
- idahonews.com: https://idahonews.com/news/nation-world/judicial-watch-founder-sues-hasan-piker-over-alleged-antisemitism-violence-against-jews-larry-klayman-muslim-communist-zionist-hamas-adl
- jns.org: https://www.jns.org/opinion/column/fiamma-nirenstein/sanctioning-israel-rewards-the-new-antisemitism
- vinnews.com: https://vinnews.com/2026/09/10/antisemitism-and-israel-ballot-fight-shape-providence-mayoral-race/
- Algemeiner: https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/09/10/when-antisemitism-becomes-normal-to-people-who-dont-think-theyre-antisemitic/
- Algemeiner: https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/09/10/jewish-groups-issue-jewish-student-bill-rights-ahead-new-academic-year/
- Algemeiner: https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/09/10/the-voices-of-australian-jews-were-heard/
- jewishinsider.com: https://jewishinsider.com/2026/09/progressive-policy-institute-report-civics-education-antisemitism-israel/
- forward.com: https://forward.com/news/849659/with-jewish-new-yorkers-on-edge-julie-menin-says-new-protections-will-help-keep-them-safe-over-high-holidays/
- aljazeera.com: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/10/un-expert-albanese-protesters-warn-against-italys-anti-semitism-bill
- forward.com: https://forward.com/news/849659/julie-menin-mamdani-high-holidays/
- gottheimer.house.gov: https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-claws-back-more-than-1-7-million-in-federal-security-funding-for-nj-houses-of-worship