Antisemitism Watch

Indictment in NYC for Hate-Fueled Stabbings
Canada's Institutional Failures Fuel Rising Antisemitism
UK Policy Warning: Chief Rabbi Says Sanctions Risk Fuelling Antisemitism

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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. This week, we cover a serious indictment in New York for alleged hate-fueled violence, persistent antisemitism in Canadian institutions, and how political rhetoric and government policies are increasingly being scrutinized for their impact on Jewish safety.

Raul Morales has been indicted on multiple counts of attempted murder and assault as hate crimes. The charges stem from two separate attacks on July 23rd on the Upper West Side of New York City, near synagogues. According to prosecutors and police, Morales first attacked a 57-year-old Asian man, stabbing him in the back with a knife. Witnesses reported he yelled "Allahu Akbar." About 12 minutes later, he allegedly attacked Moshe Grunhaus, a 50-year-old Jewish man wearing a kippah, stabbing him in the chest with a screwdriver. Prosecutors also allege Morales shouted "Allahu Akbar" during this second attack and words referring to "justice for Islam" as he fled. Both victims were hospitalized. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stated that the evidence indicates antisemitism was a motivating factor, and investigators found antisemitic text messages on Morales's phone.

In Canada, a critical assessment highlights institutional failure in addressing a pervasive rise in antisemitism. The article states that Jews are the target of over 70 percent of all religion-motivated hate crimes in Canada in 2025, despite comprising only about one percent of the population. Furthermore, a report commissioned by the Department of Canadian Heritage found nearly 96 percent of Jewish post-secondary students surveyed had experienced or witnessed at least one antisemitic incident in the preceding 12 months. The report notes that public discourse is sometimes undergirded by misguided convictions, such as the idea that Jews brought the problem upon themselves or that Israel is committing 'genocide.' Prime Minister Carney's recent announcements of a new council to combat hate and the Bill C-9, Combating Hate Act, are described as insufficient responses to the severity of the issue.

FBI data indicates that anti-Jewish hate crimes now comprise 63 percent of all religion-based hate crimes in the U.S., despite Jews making up about two percent of the population. An article reviewed for this episode links this surge to rhetoric from the 'radical socialist left.' It cites examples such as Democrat Mayor Zohran Mamdani calling the Jewish political advocacy group AIPAC 'monsters,' and the Democratic Socialists of America, or DSA, making anti-Zionism a litmus test for membership. Additionally, the streamer Hasan Piker is quoted as saying, 'eventually someone’s going to come around and take action' against American Jews supporting Israel. The article also points to Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who dismissed an attack on a synagogue as 'hurt people hurt people.'

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis has warned that new UK sanctions targeting Israeli settlements in the West Bank risk fueling antisemitism and increasing concerns about the safety of British Jews. The warning followed Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband's announcement of restrictions on trade and controls on weapons exports. Rabbi Mirvis described the announcement as a 'dark day for British Jews,' stating the measures are 'political flag bearing for mendacious anti-Israel rhetoric' and could contribute to a more hostile environment for British Jews, emboldening those who use hatred against Jews. The government maintains that the sanctions target settlement expansion and not Israel itself.

In response to persistent antisemitism in K-12 schools, Jewish organizations have released a 'Jewish Students' Bill of Rights.' Data from the Anti-Defamation League shows that antisemitic incidents at non-Jewish K-12 schools remained essentially unchanged in 2025, with 825 incidents reported, compared to 860 in 2024, while national figures saw a decline. The Bill of Rights outlines six concrete steps for schools to ensure Jewish students can learn without fear of harassment or shame. ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt stated that when schools do not know how to identify or respond to antisemitism, 'the lesson for every Jewish student in that building is that they do not belong.'

Finally, as the High Holy Days approach, rabbis across the United States report that their congregations feel deeply unsettled and precarious due to a significant uptick in antisemitism, described by some as the worst in a lifetime. Threats are emerging from diverse sources, including the political right and left, compounding unease over internal community divisions regarding Israel's policies. Michael Masters, national director and CEO of the Secure Community Network, noted that 'hope is not a strategy' and emphasized the importance of preparation and training for active threats. He also highlighted that adversaries do not distinguish between different branches of Judaism, urging community unity. The period has seen notable incidents, including an attack on a synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi, a truck-ramming at a temple in West Bloomfield, Michigan, and an assault at a Manhattan synagogue.

I'm Rachel Adler. Thank you for joining us on 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:
- hudsonvalley.news12.com: https://hudsonvalley.news12.com/man-indicted-for-2-hate-crime-stabbings-near-nyc-synagogues
- vinnews.com: https://vinnews.com/2026/09/08/man-indicted-in-alleged-antisemitic-stabbing-attack-on-upper-west-side/
- ADL: https://www.adl.org/resources/press-release/jewish-students-bill-rights-helps-communities-fight-k-12-antisemitism
- jewishfederations.org: https://www.jewishfederations.org/blog/all/jewish-students-bill-of-rights-helps-communities-fight-k-12-antisemitism-526238
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- apnews.com: https://apnews.com/article/us-jews-high-holy-days-antisemitism-israel-3dbe798ced69f57cf4b0c893fa20952d