Antisemitism Watch

Violent Assaults and Threats Plague Jewish Communities Worldwide
Bill Maher, Pop Star Pink Weigh In on Discourse Fueling Antisemitism
Australian Local Government Summit Aims to Unite Against Hate

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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.

We begin with a violent antisemitic assault in Berlin, Germany. According to a police statement, early Friday morning, a 43-year-old woman was targeted on Torstrasse in the Mitte district. Two men approached her after noticing the Star of David necklace she was wearing, hurled antisemitic insults, and one attacked her with a broken glass bottle. The woman sustained cuts to her hand and was treated by emergency responders before being taken to a hospital. The investigation, which has been transferred to the Berlin Criminal Police’s State Security Division, is ongoing, and no arrests have yet been announced, according to reporting reviewed for this episode.

This incident occurs against a backdrop of rising antisemitism in the city. According to Berlin authorities, 2,268 antisemitic offenses were recorded in the city in 2025, a 24.3% increase from the previous year, with 64 classified as violent offenses. A report by the Berlin public prosecutor’s office published in July noted that 820 proceedings with an antisemitic background were opened during 2025, and a prosecutor’s representative warned that these attacks harm not only direct victims but also undermine the sense of security of the city’s Jewish community, according to reporting reviewed for this episode.

In the UK, a 19-year-old has been charged over an alleged Nazi salute outside a synagogue in Borehamwood, police reported. The incident comes as police have increased patrols in the area for the Jewish High Holy Days, reflecting heightened security concerns, according to reporting reviewed for this episode.

In Germany, Charlotte Knobloch, a prominent leader of the Jewish community in Munich, has received death threats, German authorities reported. The threats were made following her public call to ban the far-right AfD party, according to reporting reviewed for this episode.

In the United States, a Kansas man has been charged with making antisemitic death threats against conservative commentator Ben Shapiro. According to court records, Korby Allen Strube, 29, posted threats on X that included an online countdown to Yom Kippur and explicitly referenced Shapiro’s Jewish faith. Investigators say the posts threatened to kill Shapiro and repeatedly mentioned '51 days' or '52 days left,' pointing to dates around Yom Kippur, according to investigators. The affidavit says investigators found probable cause to charge Strube with 23 counts of making written or electronic threats to kill or cause bodily harm, with prosecutors also seeking to reclassify charges based on alleged religious prejudice, as Strube’s posts tied the threat to Shapiro’s Jewish faith, according to investigators. Strube admitted he had posted the threats and acknowledged owning and posting from multiple X accounts, according to the affidavit.

On HBO's 'Real Time,' host Bill Maher addressed the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Maher critiqued public figures, including musician Macklemore, for labeling Israel's actions as genocide. Maher stated that this discourse reflects 'moral confusion' and contributes to rising antisemitism globally, arguing such declarations can lead to an increased justification for hatred towards Jews, a pattern he noted aligns with historical antisemitism, according to reporting reviewed for this episode.

Pop star Pink also addressed the discourse after reposting a video critical of Macklemore's anti-Israel statements made during concerts. Pink, who stated she was born Jewish, clarified her position on Instagram, emphasizing that Hamas is a terrorist organization, Palestinians deserve a future, and protecting innocent life comes first. She recalled an incident where Macklemore wore a costume described as antisemitic by Jews and expressed fear over his recent rhetoric, stating she needs to be able to say as a Jewish mom that something scared her without being told her fear is propaganda.

On university campuses, concerns about antisemitism continue. In Sydney, Australia, a university queer group was reportedly 'hijacked' by pro-Palestine activists, raising broader concerns about antisemitism on campuses, according to advocacy by the Australasian Union of Jewish Students.

In Australia, local government leaders are set to convene for a summit on November 26th and 27th, aiming to unite the sector against all forms of hate, including antisemitism. Convened by the Combat Antisemitism Movement Australia and co-hosted by Waverley Council, the event is framed as 'LOCAL GOVERNMENT’S CHANCE TO STAND TOGETHER AGAINST ALL HATE,' according to reporting reviewed for this episode.

Separately, an antisemitism watchdog has warned that U.S. Jews are facing a generational issue, contrasting the United States with Europe, where the Holocaust remains more present in public consciousness, according to reporting reviewed for this episode.

As the Jewish community approaches the High Holy Days, a reflection on resilience and collective action emerges. Jewish student groups in North America have launched a new 'Bill of Rights,' calling on schools to strengthen protections and improve responses to increasing antisemitic incidents reported by students, according to reporting reviewed for this episode.

One report highlights efforts to secure Jewish institutions, including 440 trained volunteers and a federation command center helping in Montreal. Over 400 community leaders from 41 states advocated on Capitol Hill for the safety and security of Jewish life across America, according to reporting reviewed for this episode. The report also notes aid to communities rebuilding in Israel and the Israeli government’s commitment to strengthening Jewish education throughout the Diaspora, according to reporting reviewed for this episode.

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

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

📚 Sources

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