Antisemitism Watch

London bus assault on Jewish teens investigated as antisemitic hate crime
EU Parliament faction adopts IHRA definition; Dearborn mayor offers concert to rapper accused of antisemitism
9/11 conspiracy theories blame Jews, surge online with millions of views; US Rep. defends rapper criticized for antisemitic speech

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📝 Transcript

You're listening to Antisemitism Watch, I'm Rachel Adler. Today, we're tracking a serious assault on Jewish teens in London, widespread online conspiracy theories, and crucial policy shifts regarding how antisemitism is defined and addressed.

We begin with a disturbing incident on a north London bus last week. On September 10th, three 14-year-old Jewish boys were allegedly assaulted and subjected to hate speech. The Metropolitan Police is investigating the incident as an antisemitic hate crime, with Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams stating, 'The Met will not tolerate antisemitism in any form, and we will respond robustly to any and all offenses that occur.' Police are actively seeking a suspect. The Community Security Trust and the Board of Deputies of British Jews have condemned the attack, and the Met has increased patrols ahead of the High Holidays to provide reassurance.

This follows a spate of antisemitic arson attacks across London between March and May of this year, which Jewish security leaders warned exposed a broader security crisis. Mark Gardner, CEO of the Community Security Trust, noted that the 'randomness' of the attacks initially confused police, who found the only common link was that the targets were Jewish or, as the alleged perpetrators stated, 'Zionist.' Gardner told the London Assembly that the breadth of targets, including Jewish businesses and ambulances, led to the entire community feeling at risk.

In California, two homes in Imperial Beach were vandalized with swastikas and antisemitic graffiti during Rosh Hashanah. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office is investigating these incidents, which involved markings made with a black permanent marker on the exterior of one home and on a window of a second property.

In politics and media, controversy is mounting around elected officials' responses to rhetoric concerning Israel and Palestine. U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal faced criticism for defending rapper Macklemore after he was removed from a tour for what was described as antisemitic behavior and speech about Palestine. Jayapal called his removal 'incredibly disappointing' and stated, 'We should all be outraged that powerful people are more upset about what an artist says than the displacement, starvation, and killing of innocent Palestinian children and families.' This statement drew sharp condemnation, with critics noting her minimal statement regarding the 9/11 anniversary compared to her comments on Macklemore, and accusing her of defending a rapper accused of antisemitism while being indifferent to her Jewish constituents.

Simultaneously, Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud offered Macklemore a free, city-sponsored concert after the rapper's pro-Palestinian remarks led to his tour removal. Hammoud stated, 'We stand with you and for a free Palestine.' ADL Michigan called the mayor's offer 'deeply concerning,' citing Macklemore's history of 'antisemitic rhetoric' and warning that the offer risks further alienating Jewish residents. Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, also opposed Macklemore's participation in shows at his venue, citing the rapper's remarks and a 'broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.'

Meanwhile, U.S. Representative Jared Moskowitz has launched a campaign ad for his upcoming election that uses his family’s Holocaust history to combat antisemitism. The ad features somber music and black-and-white photos from a concentration camp, with Moskowitz stating, 'In every generation, they rise against us. My great-grandparents were murdered in Auschwitz.' He links this to contemporary threats, referencing the Parkland shooter who had swastikas carved into his gun. The ad also highlights Moskowitz's bipartisan work to fight antisemitism.

A significant policy development comes from the European Parliament, where the Patriots for Europe faction, the third-largest group, is formally adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism. The faction stated that attacks on the State of Israel can constitute expressions of modern antisemitism, signaling a clear European position in response to rising antisemitism across the continent.

Online, analysis by the Combat Antisemitism Movement reveals a surge in antisemitic conspiracy theories blaming Jews and Israel for the September 11th attacks, garnering tens of millions of views on social media around the 25th anniversary of 9/11. The ADL warns that artificial intelligence is being used to produce synthetic 'proofs' to support these baseless claims.

On campuses, a federal investigation has been launched into an Inland Empire school district due to allegations of antisemitism. This stems from reports of persistent antisemitic taunting and harassment experienced by middle school students.

In a separate campus development, the Pratt Institute has disciplined a student who harassed a Jewish professor on social media, calling him a 'Jewish supremacist' and urging students to boycott his classes. The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law stated that the student's disciplinary probation sends a clear message that targeting Jewish members of any academic community will have consequences.

In institutional responses, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen called for expanding federal security funding for religious institutions, warning of unprecedented threats. She cited data showing 2025 as the third-highest year on record for antisemitic incidents in the U.S., with physical assaults against Jewish individuals reaching historic highs. FBI data indicates Jewish Americans were targets of nearly 70% of religiously motivated hate crimes in the U.S. in 2025. Senator Rosen is co-sponsoring legislation to nearly triple funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program.

Emory University has launched the Emory Policy Institute on Countering Antisemitism, or EPICA, led by Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt. This new academic center aims to develop practical, government-level strategies against rising antisemitism by bridging rigorous academic scholarship with public policy.

Finally, the ongoing need for security is underscored as Jewish communities face increasing threats, with the ability for synagogues to hire armed security guards highlighted as critical, and security expenses consuming a significant portion of communal budgets.

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.

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