Antisemitism Watch

UN Launches Global Task Force on Combating Antisemitism Amidst Rising Global Jew-Hatred
Australia Considers Mandating IHRA Definition in University Funding Bill
NYC Boosts Security for Rosh Hashanah Amidst Uptick in Antisemitic Hate Crimes

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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

📝 Transcript

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

We begin with a significant international development. Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon has launched a UN Task Force on Combating Antisemitism. According to reporting, Danon cited a 136% increase in Jew-hatred across countries with large Jewish populations since October 7th, and a disconnect between government declarations and concrete action. The task force, launched in Turtle Bay, aims to close this gap, with representatives from dozens of countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, Argentina, and Slovakia in attendance, the Israeli mission stated. Danon shared a collage of antisemitic attacks and news reports, emphasizing that 'Never Again' must be a commitment, not just a slogan, and highlighting the need for the UN to confront Jew-hatred within its own walls.

Meanwhile, in Australia, proposed amendments to the university funding overhaul bill, known as the 'Opening the Doors of Opportunity' bill, could soon oblige universities to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism. The opposition introduced these measures in the Senate, with Liberal Party senator Matt O’Sullivan set to introduce amendments requiring universities to adopt the contentious IHRA definition, according to reporting.

Back on campuses, reporting from the Algemeiner highlights an evolving landscape of antisemitism. Beyond overt incidents, Jewish students are increasingly experiencing what is described as 'ambient antisemitism'—a pervasive climate where Jewish identity is treated as less legitimate or protected. This manifests through digital targeting and a broader atmosphere of bias, making students feel unsafe even without visible assaults, as noted by Hillel International’s Senior Vice President of Campus Solutions in the report.

In politics and media, a stark contrast is drawn between the Republican Party's swift condemnation of David Duke in 2016 and the Democratic Party's approach to streamer Hasan Piker. Piker, who has over 11 million followers, made remarks such as 'America deserved 9/11' and called Israel 'Jewish ISIS.' He has appeared with prominent Democrats including Senator Bernie Sanders, Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar, and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, according to reporting. While some Democrats like DNC Chairman Ken Martin and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries condemned Piker's statements, they initially did not name him. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, however, directly called Piker 'a stone cold anti-Semite.'

On this theme, Republican New York City Council member Vickie Paladino told streamer Hasan Piker to 'go back to where you came from' during a Fox News interview, defending her remarks against accusations of racism. Paladino made the comments in response to Piker's criticism of Mayor Zohran Mamdani's attendance at a 9/11 anniversary ceremony. Reporting notes Piker, born in New Jersey to Turkish parents, previously said 'America deserved the Sept. 11 attacks.'

Concerns have also been raised by Jewish Republicans regarding Vice President JD Vance's frontrunner status for the 2028 presidential election, particularly his close ties with political commentator Tucker Carlson. Reporting indicates Vance pointedly refused to address these concerns at the Republican Jewish Coalition National Leadership Summit, fueling questions about the extent of Carlson's influence.

A recent article headline states that Miliband is playing into the hands of anti-Semites, signifying a notable political development concerning the topic.

In Toronto, mayoral candidates Brad Bradford and Chris Alexander have criticized Mayor Olivia Chow for not appearing at an antisemitism forum, according to reporting.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's recent visit to Eichler's Judaica store has drawn criticism from City Council member Inna Vernikov. Vernikov called the visit an 'embarrassment,' alleging it allowed Mamdani to portray himself as an ally while continuing to promote anti-Israel views, despite reporting that antisemitic incidents in the city have significantly increased since he took office.

Turning to institutional responses, multiple Jewish and healthcare organizations, including Hadassah and the Anti-Defamation League, have welcomed new federal guidance from the US Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. This guidance clarifies that antisemitic discrimination has no place in the nation's healthcare system, explicitly stating that federal civil rights protections extend to discrimination based on actual or perceived Jewish ancestry or ethnic characteristics, and Israeli national origin.

Emory University has established the Emory Policy Institute on Countering Antisemitism, or EPICA. Founded by historian Deborah Lipstadt, the institute will conduct research, facilitate dialogue, and train future leaders to address antisemitism within democratic societies, with support from private donations, according to university reporting.

On Capitol Hill, Representatives Elise Stefanik and Josh Gottheimer are launching a bipartisan congressional coalition, the Combating Antisemitism on College Campuses Caucus. This caucus aims to provide lawmakers a venue to coordinate oversight of how higher education institutions address antisemitism, press for the protection of Jewish students, and track federal legislation targeting campus antisemitism.

In Portugal, a comedian withdrew from a festival headlined by Jerry Seinfeld, accusing Israel of 'genocide,' according to a brief report referencing the incident alongside discussions of the IHRA Antisemitism Definition.

In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch have detailed security plans for the upcoming 25th anniversary of 9/11 and the start of Rosh Hashanah. Officials stated there are no current known specific or credible threats, but confirmed hate crimes citywide are up 16% this year, with antisemitic hate crimes up 9%, and more than half of all confirmed hate crimes targeting Jewish New Yorkers, according to NYPD data. Consequently, an increased NYPD presence will be deployed outside synagogues and other Jewish religious and cultural locations across the five boroughs.

In community response, letters to the editor advocate for strong interfaith cooperation between Jewish and Muslim communities to counter rising Islamophobia and antisemitism. The letters reference rhetoric at the recent Jewish American Summit and model 'Cheshbon hanefesh'—a Jewish practice of self-reflection—as a way to foster mutual engagement and shared advocacy for civil rights and safety of worship.

Finally, in Pittsburgh, the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill, the site of the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history in 2018, will change its name eight years after the tragedy, as reported.

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:
- Algemeiner: https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/09/09/approaching-three-years-since-10-7-23-antisemitism-on-campus-now/
- timeshighereducation.com: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/changes-proposed-australian-university-funding-overhaul
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- youtube.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lFKKvBX4qw
- amac.us: https://amac.us/newsline/the-david-duke-standard-the-hasan-piker-exception
- rawstory.com: https://www.rawstory.com/vickie-paladino-piker-racist/
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- hadassah.org: https://www.hadassah.org/press-release/joint-statement-on-federal-guidance-addressing-antisemitic-discrimination-in-healthcare
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- clevelandjewishnews.com: https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/jns/israeli-envoy-launches-un-task-force-to-fight-jew-hatred-including-right-here-within-the/article_825e3a22-3268-5dca-9e06-58fbf7132382.html
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- nydailynews.com: https://www.nydailynews.com/2026/09/09/mayor-nypd-assures-jewish-new-yorkers-that-they-will-be-safe-this-rosh-hashanah/
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- latimes.com: https://www.latimes.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/story/2026-09-09/islamophobia-antisemitism-jews-muslims
- triblive.com: https://triblive.com/local/tree-of-life-in-squirrel-hill-announces-new-name/