Antisemitism Watch

Orlando Fight Erupts in Nazi Salutes, Antisemitic Slurs
Jewish Community Security Spending Surpasses $1 Billion Amid Rising Hate Crimes
House Passes Bill Targeting Israel Boycotts on Campus

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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.

A disturbing incident at a public sporting event highlights the persistence of hate speech and symbols. At the Kia Center in Orlando on Saturday night, during a kickboxing match, convicted felon and white supremacist Paul Miller reportedly gave a Nazi salute and used antisemitic slurs after defeating his Jewish opponent, Ben Azoulay. According to WESH 2, supporters of Miller also unveiled a swastika banner. Miller, described by the Anti-Defamation League as a 'volatile white supremacist-accelerationist,' also directed slurs at Azoulay after the fight. Video circulating on social media shows Miller twice flashing the Nazi salute as he exited the ring, with a member of his corner wearing a shirt reading 'FCK ISRL.' Miller has a history of federal convictions, including possession of unregistered firearms, and has advocated for a 'race-based civil war,' according to the Washington Post. Local officials swiftly condemned the display. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer stated on X that 'a symbol of hate was brought to our city this weekend. But hate, fear and division will never be welcome here.' State Representative Anna Eskamani called the display 'disgusting' and a reminder of prevalent extremism. Marni Mandell, CEO of the Jewish organization Shalom Orlando, expressed disgust and urged scrutiny of future public events. However, city management told WESH 2 that venue operators are bound by the First Amendment and cannot deny access based on political ideology. A Kia USA spokesman condemned the behavior and thanked venue staff for their response.

Reflecting the escalating threat environment, new data from the Jewish Federations of North America shows that the Jewish community's spending on security has surpassed one billion dollars annually, a 33% increase from the previous year. This comes as leaders call for the urgent passage of the Jewish American Security Act to fully fund the Nonprofit Security Grant Program at one billion dollars. JFNA President and CEO Eric D. Fingerhut stated, 'The fact that Jewish communal spending has shot up 33% is a measure of how much more dangerous life has become for Jewish Americans.' Fingerhut added that 'the need has outpaced the resources.' This increased spending comes as the latest FBI Hate Crime data reveals that anti-Jewish hate crimes accounted for 64% of all religiously motivated hate crimes in 2025. The same FBI report found that American Jews were the most-targeted religious group and the second-most targeted group for hate crimes of any kind in 2025.

In Washington, the US House of Representatives has passed the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act by a 237-169 vote, a measure that would strip federal aid from colleges and universities engaged in boycotts against Israel. The bill, led by Republican Virginia Foxx, aims to prevent institutions participating in 'a nonexpressive commercial boycott of Israel' from receiving federal funding. Foxx stated the legislation 'completely severs any possible taxpayer support of these concrete campaigns of antisemitism in the form of BDS and academic boycotts of Israel.' While 33 Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the bill, prominent Democrats like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Nancy Pelosi, and James Clyburn voted against it, citing concerns about restricting political activism and free expression. Representative Jerry Nadler, while disagreeing with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, emphasized his commitment to protecting Americans' right to speech, even speech he disagrees with. Representative Bobby Scott criticized the bill as unnecessary, stating universities have not embraced BDS and arguing against punishing protected speech. Democratic Congressman Josh Gottheimer, a co-sponsor, called the proposal 'narrow and tailored' and necessary to combat antisemitism targeting Israel and Judaism.

As the academic year begins, developments in higher education continue to draw scrutiny. Federal judges have dismissed lawsuits against universities like Harvard, finding that the Trump administration had not proven its case regarding antisemitism compliance and its right to link Title VI to federal grants. Separately, Florida International University faced a ruling concerning overly broad 'time, place, and manner' restrictions on student protests. In contrast, Haverford College settled a lawsuit brought by Jewish and Israeli students and faculty. The college's president acknowledged that Zionism is an integral part of Jewish identity, stating that harassment based on Jewish identity, including Zionism, is anathema to the college's principles. Meanwhile, allegations from former Justice Department lawyers suggest that the Trump administration's prior focus on higher education antisemitism was based on flimsy evidence. Separately, reports indicate that faculty and graduate student unions have been increasingly influenced by anti-Israel activists, while Israeli academics continue to report boycotts from European and American colleagues.

In politics and media, concerns persist over public figures' rhetoric. Ahead of concerts by the rapper now known as Ye, formerly Kanye West, at Chicago's Soldier Field, advocates from the Anti-Defamation League expressed concerns about his history of antisemitic comments, including questioning the Holocaust and repeating tropes about Jewish control of money and media. Rebecca Weininger of the ADL told WBBM Newsradio that the impact on the Jewish community needs to be recognized. Soldier Field management stated they will enforce a 'zero-tolerance policy' for hate during the performances and will train concert staff on recognizing antisemitic symbols and statements. In a related political development, Vice President JD Vance has faced increasing pressure to denounce antisemitism and disavow former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, particularly after Vance sidestepped questions concerning antisemitism on immigration and Carlson's alleged remarks.

Internationally, a café manager in France is scheduled to stand trial on March 2, 2027, on a charge of public discriminatory insult. Prosecutors stated the manager told a Jewish customer at a resort in Les Deux Alpes, 'There are too many of you,' referring to the Jewish community. The incident, recorded by the customer and widely shared, prompted an investigation. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez condemned the remarks, and Aurore Bergé, the minister responsible for combating discrimination, stated that antisemitic conduct and remarks cannot be tolerated.

Turning to case outcomes and accountability, fashion designer John Galliano has been convicted in a French court for public insults based on religion or ethnicity, stemming from past antisemitic behavior, as reported by Haaretz.com. In Florida, a Palm Beach County employee has been separated from county employment following allegations of making a Nazi salute and saying 'Heil Hitler' during a traffic encounter while driving a county vehicle. Palm Beach County Public Affairs Director John Jamason stated there is 'no place for antisemitism, hatred or discrimination in Palm Beach County government.' The allegations have not been independently verified, and the employee has until September 4th to appeal the decision.

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

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

📚 Sources

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