Antisemitism Watch

California court to prosecute man for antisemitic threats against Jewish center and synagogue.
VP JD Vance refuses to disavow friend Tucker Carlson, drawing criticism from Jewish Republicans.
Spanish Jewish groups report 14.5% rise in antisemitic incidents in 2025, citing normalization.

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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.

We begin with disturbing reports of antisemitic threats and hate crimes. In California, a court has ruled there is sufficient evidence to prosecute Paul Dean Andrews for allegedly making antisemitic threats, including specific violent threats, against a Jewish community center in Redondo Beach and a local synagogue, according to the LA County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors state that over three days in August, Andrews repeatedly called the center, saying 'We don’t want Jews in South Bay. Jews. Get out of South Bay.' In one call, he allegedly threatened a center manager, stating, 'I will come and open fire at the place.' The LA County District Attorney's office announced that Andrews faces more than nine years in prison if convicted. This follows a previous offense where a judge ordered him to complete an anti-bias program, which he allegedly did not.

Across the Pacific, in Australia, a 52-year-old man, Chris McComb, has been charged with hate crime offenses for allegedly making antisemitic threats targeting the Queensland Zionist Council, as reported by The Courier-Mail. Police confirmed the council received an online message containing ‘explicit threats,’ which included calls for Jews and Israelis to be expelled from Australia. The Queensland Zionist Council warned this case highlights a dangerous trend where 'anti-Zionism' is used as a cover for anti-Jewish hatred, a sentiment they have been warning officials about for some time. The Queensland Police and the Australian Federal Police are investigating.

Meanwhile, in Orlando, Florida, State Representative Anna V. Eskamani is calling for the revocation of a promoter's license following a Nazi demonstration that featured a swastika flag at an MMA event, according to reporting by Fox News.

In political discourse, Vice President JD Vance has drawn criticism for his refusal to disavow his friend, former Fox News personality Tucker Carlson, who has a history of spreading antisemitic conspiracy theories. Vance stated during a White House press conference that he would not 'throw friends under the bus' over political disagreements, even though he acknowledged having disagreements with Carlson, including Carlson's criticisms of President Trump and his remarks about political candidates. According to reporting by JTA and The Forward, Vance's comments came shortly after he appeared before the Republican Jewish Coalition, where some attendees expressed unease with his relationship with Carlson.

Also this week, commentary from 'Pod Save America' hosts Jon Favreau and Jon Lovett drew criticism. The hosts mocked Vice President JD Vance's use of the term 'blood libel' but then offered conflicting and incorrect definitions of the historical antisemitic trope. Seth Mandel, senior editor at Commentary, criticized their exchange, accusing the hosts of dismissing antisemitism while misunderstanding its history. Mandel told Fox News Digital that their confusion reflects a broader problem of treating Jewish concerns as unserious, which can enable antisemitic rhetoric to persist.

Separately, a rabbinic group is calling out over 170 Jewish entertainers for what they term 'whitewashing antisemitism.' The Coalition for Jewish Values stated these entertainers signed a letter supporting actor Mark Ruffalo after he made comments linking a business merger to 'genocide' and 'apartheid,' and suggesting the Jewish Ellison family was 'powering some of the most destructive and inhuman forces in the world,' according to reporting by Fox News. The Coalition for Jewish Values, representing Orthodox rabbis, believes Ruffalo’s comments invoked antisemitic tropes and that the entertainers failed to recognize obvious bigotry.

On social media, antisemitic backlash emerged following the election of Amy-Jill Levine as the first Jewish president of the Catholic Biblical Association of America in August. Levine, a scholar of Christian Scriptures, faced denunciations on social media accounts with tens of thousands of followers, according to reporting. Critics called her 'anti-Christian,' claimed she was trying to hijack Catholicism, and added anti-Zionist comments. Supporters, including the association's executive board, emphasized her exceptional scholarship and her role in Catholic-Jewish dialogue.

In Northern Ireland, organizers of the City of Derry Triathlon confirmed the removal of four Israeli athletes from the event list. According to the BBC, the North West Triathlon Club cited concerns over 'athlete and public safety' and stated the decision was about the 'representation of the State of Israel amidst the Palestinian conflict,' clarifying it was not a position against individuals based on religion or ethnicity. The Derry Anti War Coalition, described as a far-left anti-Zionist group, praised the decision. However, Julie Middleton, a Member of the Legislative Assembly, stated the event should have showcased hospitality, and Michael Black, Deputy Chairman of the Belfast Jewish Community, expressed disappointment, calling Ireland 'one of the most antisemitic countries in Europe.'

Internationally, Spain's Jewish umbrella organization, the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain, and a watchdog group have reported a significant rise in antisemitic incidents. According to JTA, they recorded 221 incidents in 2025, a 14.5% increase from the 193 incidents in 2024, warning that hatred was being 'normalized.' Government data also indicated a surge in hate crimes targeting Jews, with a jump from 37 in 2024 to 69 in 2025. FCJE president David Obadía stated that 'campaigns against Israel' have led some groups to 'blame all Jews,' and that security forces are doing their best, but politicians and media could be more rigorous in preventing this situation.

Finally, a controversial parole decision has sparked outrage in Canada. Brayden Bushby, who was convicted of manslaughter in the death of Indigenous woman Barbara Kentner, has been granted full parole. As reported by The Toronto Star, this comes despite Bushby having a Confederate flag tattoo and being observed cutting a swastika into the lawn of a federal institution, according to Parole Board of Canada documents. Kentner's sister, Connie Kentner, expressed feelings of betrayal by the justice system, questioning if these symbols are consistent with repentance and noting the ongoing struggle for justice for Indigenous women and girls.

That's our report for today. 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:
- jpost.com: https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-907630
- jewishrhody.com: https://www.jewishrhody.com/stories/australian-man-charged-over-alleged-antisemitic-threats-against-zionist-council,173320
- jpost.com: https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-907638
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