Antisemitism Watch

Munich Death Threat Targets Holocaust Survivor Amid AfD Surge
Manchester Synagogue Attack Prompts Public Inquiry Over National Security
Canada Arrests Man for Online Hate Speech Promoting Genocide

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You're listening to Antisemitism Watch. Today, we track a chilling death threat against a Holocaust survivor in Germany, developments in the aftermath of a synagogue attack in the UK, and significant legal actions against hate speech online and on campus.

In Munich, German authorities are investigating a death threat made against Charlotte Knobloch, the 93-year-old president of the Jewish Community of Munich and Upper Bavaria and a Holocaust survivor. According to reporting, the threat was discovered on a park bench and garbage bin and explicitly referenced the recent election victory of the AfD party. German media reported the graffiti read, "The AfD has won, tomorrow we will hang Knobloch," and included a Star of David. Ambassador Ron Prosor condemned the threat, calling it "disgusting, cowardly, antisemitic," and Bavaria’s commissioner for Jewish life, Ludwig Spaenle, stated it had "crossed every line." Knobloch has canceled a scheduled public appearance following the incident.

In the UK, the chief coroner overseeing inquests into the deaths of two men killed in last October's attack on a Manchester synagogue is recommending a public inquiry. Judge Alexia Durran stated she will ask the government to convert the inquests into a public inquiry after being informed that sensitive MI5 material cannot be heard in open court due to national security concerns. The attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue resulted in the deaths of Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz. The perpetrator, Jihad Al-Shamie, drove into the synagogue gates before attacking worshippers with a knife while wearing a fake suicide belt. Cravitz died from multiple knife wounds, and Daulby was killed by police gunfire.

In Canada, police have arrested and charged a 27-year-old man in connection with antisemitic social media posts. Simran Mander of Stoney Creek, Ontario, faces charges including wilful promotion of hatred, wilful promotion of antisemitism, and advocating genocide. The Hamilton Police Hate Crime Unit launched an investigation in July 2025 into material posted publicly on the social media platform X/Twitter. The Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre hailed the charges as an "important step" toward accountability. The allegations have not yet been proven in court.

On a Canadian campus, Jewish students at Wilfrid Laurier University discovered mezuzahs on their residence doors had been smashed and torn down over the High Holy Days. Hillel Ontario and StandWithUs Canada condemned the vandalism as antisemitic hatred, stating it is part of a broader pattern of escalating hostility toward Jewish students on campuses nationwide, a trend documented in a federal report. Jay Solomon, CEO of Hillel Ontario, emphasized that Jewish students have a right to feel safe and express their identity without fear. Laurier University has stated it is treating the matter very seriously and the incident is under investigation, with support available to the affected students.

Antisemitic threats are driving unprecedented costs for Jewish communal security across North America. New estimates from the Jewish Federations of North America, or JFNA, reveal that Jewish synagogues, schools, and community centers are now spending an estimated $1.02 billion annually on security measures, a record high. This significant expense, JFNA reports, often diverts funds that could otherwise support essential community programs like education, summer camps, and elder care.

In the United States, the federal government under the Trump administration has taken actions that impact academic institutions over issues of antisemitism. Reporting indicates the administration froze millions in federal funding to universities, including $2.3 billion to Harvard and $584 million to UCLA, alleging a failure to adequately address antisemitism on campus. While the administration framed these actions as part of a push to reshape curricula and promote viewpoint diversity, a federal judge later ruled that the cancellation of research grants was unlawful. The broader context involves federal government pressure on university curricula related to race, gender, and DEI, with academic freedom concerns also raised, as seen in the case of a West Point climate scientist suing after his contract was not renewed following his protest of teaching restrictions.

In political discourse, Abdul El-Sayed faced pointed questions from CBS's Weijia Jiang on Face the Nation regarding his relationship with leftist streamer Hasan Piker. While El-Sayed has condemned antisemitism generally, Jiang pressed him on why he had not directly called out Piker's specific rhetoric, noting concerns from Jewish voters in Michigan. El-Sayed deflected, stating his interest lay in addressing issues like grocery prices and healthcare for Michiganders, and expressed disinterest in discussing "Twitch streamers in California," a stance Republicans have reportedly used to attack him.

Investigations into major teachers' unions in the U.S. are raising concerns about their partnerships and curriculum. Reports from the North American Values Institute and a Senate committee examine the National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers, documenting extensive financial ties, co-sponsorships, and political activism with organizations like Rethinking Schools and the Zinn Education Project. The NEA, for instance, has provided significant funding to Rethinking Schools, and both unions co-sponsor the Zinn Education Project's "Teach Truth Day of Action," which includes demands to teach about Palestine and alleged "genocide" in Gaza. The broader concern, according to these reports, is whether these unions are promoting critical examination of ideas or encouraging students to participate in specific political causes.

A significant trend is emerging among North American Jews: increasing immigration to Israel, known as aliyah, even from comfortable circumstances. Driven by rising antisemitism in the U.S. and Canada and a strengthened sense of belonging to Israel, particularly in the aftermath of the October 7th attacks, more individuals are choosing to make aliyah. As reported by Walla, some emigrants cite feeling like "outsiders" in their home countries and a desire to avoid hiding their Jewish identity, with one individual describing their move as a step towards "the last exile."

In the realm of advocacy, the Nexus Project, which advises U.S. institutions on antisemitism, has launched an advocacy arm focused on lobbying Congress and the executive branch. The project's national director, Jonathan Jacoby, has previously stated he does not believe any definition of antisemitism should be formally adopted, a stance that contrasts with the ADL's endorsement of the IHRA Working Definition. Nexus's Washington director, Kevin Rachlin, has also voiced concerns about the IHRA definition being used as an enforcement mechanism. The project receives funding from sources including the Open Society Foundations.

In the UK, the Campaign Against Antisemitism has released a documentary detailing what it describes as "anti-Semitic rot" within the National Health Service.

On the community response front, a British-Israeli journalist is advising diaspora Jewish communities to adopt a proactive strategy to combat global antisemitism. Additionally, calls for solidarity with Jewish communities persist, underscoring the persistent threat of antisemitism, especially in the context of events like September 11th and October 7th.

I'm Rachel Adler, and this has been 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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