Antisemitism Watch

Munich Police Investigate Death Threats Against Holocaust Survivor Linked to AfD Election
Canadian Campuses Grapple with Resurgent Antisemitism, Federal Report Details Widespread Incidents
Robert Kraft Cites 'Antisemitic Rhetoric' in Push to Drop Rapper Macklemore from Ed Sheeran Tour

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

In Munich, Germany, police are investigating death threats made against 93-year-old Holocaust survivor Charlotte Knobloch, president of the Jewish Community of Munich and Upper Bavaria. As The Jerusalem Post reports, inscriptions were found on a park bench and trash bin in the English Garden. The newspaper Abendzeitung, citing police sources, reported that the inscription mentioned an AfD victory and threatened to hang Knobloch. Felix Ballandat of the Department for Research and Information on Antisemitism, or RIAS, stated the organization had not previously recorded similar cases directly mentioning the AfD and a specific target. Knobloch, a critic of the far-right Alternative for Germany party, canceled a public event after learning of the threat.

In Canada, the Hamilton Police Hate Crime Unit has arrested a 27-year-old man, charging him with willful promotion of hatred, antisemitism, and advocating genocide. The charges follow an investigation into antisemitic online content posted publicly to an X/Twitter account. Hamilton police emphasized their commitment to holding perpetrators of hate crimes accountable.

On Canadian campuses, a federal report confirms a resurgence of antisemitism. The Campus Antisemitism and Student Experiences, or CASE, report found that 95.7 percent of surveyed Jewish students experienced or witnessed at least one antisemitic incident over the previous year, documenting widespread Holocaust denial, harassment, and intimidation. An external review of Toronto Metropolitan University found recurring antisemitism and a failure to consistently apply policies, while the University of Toronto's annual report showed antisemitism as the largest source of anti-hate complaints. This pattern extends to specific incidents, such as Jewish students at Wilfrid Laurier University discovering mezuzahs on their residence doors smashed and torn down over the High Holy Days. Hillel Ontario CEO Jay Solomon called it part of a "broader pattern of escalating hostility toward Jewish students" and stressed the need for university administrations to enforce policies swiftly and transparently. Laurier University confirmed it is investigating the vandalism.

In the entertainment world, Jewish billionaire Robert Kraft confirmed he pressured Ed Sheeran to remove rapper Macklemore from his tour, citing Macklemore's "broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery." Kraft stated that Gillette Stadium would not provide a platform for hate speech, and that while advocacy for Palestinians is valid, it should not come "at the expense of the Jewish community." Macklemore himself indicated Kraft had rallied other stadium owners to prevent his performances.

Ahead of the 25th anniversary of September 11th, antisemitic conspiracy theories blaming Jews and Israel for the attacks have resurfaced across major social media platforms, according to the online antisemitism-monitoring organization CyberWell. CyberWell identified scores of posts on Meta platforms, Reddit, TikTok, and X alleging, without evidence, that Jews planned the attacks or had advance warning. These claims recycle older antisemitic tropes, adapting them to current events, and have persisted for over two decades.

In the UK, a watchdog report titled "Malignant: Anti-Semitism in the NHS" alleges widespread antisemitism within the British healthcare system. The Campaign Against Antisemitism documented incidents including a surgeon telling a Jewish cancer patient antisemitic abuse, and a nurse performing a Nazi salute for a colleague.

Meanwhile, a bill passed by the House, H.R. 4795, threatens federal funding for universities that participate in certain boycotts or divestment efforts aimed at Israel. On KPFA's Hard Knock Radio, CAIR representative Zahra Billoo and Palestine Legal's Sabiya Ahamed argued that criticism of Israel is increasingly being conflated with antisemitism, and that such legislation suppresses dissent, potentially setting a dangerous precedent.

Israeli Consul General Ofir Akunis issued a Rosh Hashanah message warning against the familiar antisemitic method of "blame the Jews," noting its historical recurrence.

Finally, criticism has been raised that delays from New York City's Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism are unacceptable, particularly in light of rising antisemitic incidents recorded in 2025.

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

Sources:
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